Scientists have found a new drug, called Donanemab, which has the potential to slow down mental decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease by 36%, presenting a promising breakthrough in the fight against the degenerative brain condition. The initial findings, published on May 3, also revealed that Donanemab could halt the reduction in the ability to perform daily activities by up to 40%. The full results of the drug’s trials will be unveiled by US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, making it the second drug shown to slow the progression of dementia.
Just under a year ago, another drug called Lecanemab was discovered to reduce cognitive decline by 27% in individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. Lecanemab was approved for use in the US on July 7, and there are plans to introduce it in the UK. These advancements come shortly after news presenter Fiona Phillips shared her devastating diagnosis of Alzheimer’s at the age of 62. In the UK, approximately 900,000 people are affected by dementia, while an estimated 7 million Americans are impacted by the disease. Among them, 850,000 Britons and 5.8 million Americans specifically have Alzheimer’s disease.
Donanemab works by eliminating plaque clusters known as amyloid from the brain, a defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s disease. It is administered to patients through monthly intravenous injections for up to 18 months, or until the amyloid clusters have been successfully cleared from the brain. The drug acts as a monoclonal antibody, binding to the amyloid clusters and stimulating other cells to remove them.
In a phase 3 trial, Donanemab demonstrated a 36% reduction in the decline of cognitive abilities and daily functioning compared to a placebo. The upcoming evaluations of the drug’s risks and benefits will guide further decisions about its usage. However, it is important to note that drugs like Donanemab can carry potential risk factors such as brain swelling and bleeding.
Donanemab has been lauded as an encouraging development in the fight against Alzheimer’s, with researchers highlighting its ability to slow the progression of the condition by 35%. This monoclonal antibody therapy is administered through intravenous injections and targets existing amyloid clumps in the brain. By triggering microglia cells responsible for neuron maintenance, Donanemab promotes the clearance of toxic amyloid clusters, which can disrupt cellular communication and contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. It is worth noting that around 90% of Alzheimer’s patients have amyloid clumps in their brains, although these clumps can also be present in individuals without the disease.
While the exact cause of Alzheimer’s remains uncertain, there is growing evidence suggesting a link between the disease and damage to blood vessels in the brain. The full results of the Donanemab trial will be presented at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Amsterdam, and the drug could potentially receive licensing approval in the UK within the next year or 18 months. The National Health Service (NHS) will then have to assess the drug’s cost-effectiveness and determine its accessibility. Concerns have been raised that Donanemab may only be available to those who can afford private healthcare. Although the cost of the drug has not been disclosed, researchers estimate a price of $1,600 (£1,273) per dose or $20,000 (£15,909) annually.
After the initial findings of the trial were announced in May, top doctors in the UK expressed the need for better preparation within the NHS to accommodate breakthrough medications like Donanemab. Alzheimer’s disease places a significant burden on healthcare systems, including those in the UK. Treating and caring for patients with Alzheimer’s and dementia costs around £25 billion annually in Britain.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive and degenerative brain condition characterized by the accumulation of abnormal proteins, leading to the death of nerve cells. This process disrupts the transmission of messages within the brain and causes the organ to shrink. More than 5 million Americans and over 1 million Britons suffer from Alzheimer’s. The disease manifests through various stages, starting with memory loss, disorientation, behavioral changes, mood swings, and difficulties with tasks such as making phone calls or managing finances. As the disease progresses, severe memory loss, aggression, loss of mobility, and eating problems may occur. Most individuals with Alzheimer’s eventually require 24-hour care.
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