In a recent set of clinical trials announced by the Alzheimer’s Association, it was found that a new drug showed great promise in reducing the cognitive decline caused by Alzheimer’s disease. This drug, Lecanemab, has supposedly shown excellent results in treating the underlying causes of Alzheimer’s, and could potentially help people with the disease to live longer and healthier lives. However, more testing still needs to be performed to ensure the drug is safe and effective for public use.
What is Alzheimer’s Disease?
Alzheimer’s disease is a type of dementia, a degenerative medical condition that affects approximately six million people across the United States. This condition primarily manifests in people in their 60s or 70s, and causes a gradual decline in a person’s memory, cognitive ability, emotional restraint, and attention span, among other issues. While some drugs currently exist that can slow the progress of the disease or alleviate its symptoms to some extent, no cure has been found.
What is This New Drug?
The new drug, Lecanemab, is a medicine intended to help treat Alzheimer’s disease by addressing the underlying conditions that cause Alzheimer’s dementia. The drug recently finished Stage 3 of clinical testing, meaning that it can now move on to being reviewed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If approved by the FDA, it will then become available to be prescribed to people, helping to treat the symptoms of their dementia.
How Can This New Drug Help People With Alzheimer’s Disease?
Based on data from the most recent clinical trials, Lecanemab will help to address some of the known underlying causes of Alzheimer’s disease. Not only could this help to alleviate the symptoms of the disease, helping people to live with less impairment from the condition, but it could also slow down its progress, giving them more years to enjoy with their loved ones. In effect, it could give anyone recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease a longer lease on life.
What Happens Now?
First, the drug must be evaluated by the FDA to ensure the data from clinical testing demonstrates that it is safe and effective for human use. If it clears that step, it will become available for the general public by prescription, although it will likely not be covered by insurance, at least at first. However, the Alzheimer’s Association has been advocating for the drug to receive a National Coverage Determination (NCD) that would allow it to be covered by health insurance across the U.S., provided it can clear the final stages of evaluation.
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