T H E P U B L I C AT I O N F O R N U R S I N G A N D R E S I D E N T I A L C A R E H O M E S Issue 118
W W W. T H E C A R E R U K . C O M
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New Alzheimer's Drug “Historical Moment” in Dementia Treatment
An experimental drug Lecanemab developed by pharmaceutical company Eisai has slowed the rate of memory decline and thinking in people with early stage Alzheimer’s disease in what is being described as a “historic moment” for dementia treatment. The cognition of Alzheimer’s patients given the drug declined by 27% less than those on a placebo treatment after 18 months, and while this is a modest change in clinical outcome it is the first time any drug has been clearly shown to alter the disease’s path. The trial, known as Clarity AD included 1,795 people with early-stage
Alzheimer’s and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s, who received a bi-weekly infusion of either lecanemab or a dummy drug (placebo). Brain swelling was seen in 12.5% of those who received the medication, compared to 1.7% in the placebo group, according to Eisai. However, many of those with brain swelling did not experience symptoms and the prevalence of that side effect was lower than what has been seen with other similar experimental drugs, the company said on a call on Tuesday.
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