December 2, 2022
BBC reported that a new drug in the UK may be the key to helping treating a serious condition affecting 55 million people around the world. Lecanemab is the first drug to slow the effects of the mind altering disease. Current medications only work to manage the symptoms of the disease, while Lecanemab has the potential to treat it altogether. The drug works as an antibody attacking the protein Amyloid which 'clumps together in the spaces between neurons in the brain and forms distinctive plaques that are one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer's.'
The Alzheimer's Association describes Alzheimer's as 'a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking and behavior.' The condition primarily affects people over the age of 65 but has been found in younger individuals as well.
Studies conducted over 18 months on over 1700 people revealed that the drug was successful in slowing the decline by a quarter. While some argue that the effects of the drug are small, it can still be seen as a victory after years of past studies only producing 100% failure rates.
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