A new drug that could be used to treat Alzheimer's slows cognitive decline by one third, the initial stages of a clinical trial have found, as scientists hail the “potential therapy” for the disease.
The drug donanemab, an investigational antibody therapy, is administered via an IV infusion and targets a protein found in the brains of those with Alzheimer's disease.
A trial involving 272 patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s found that donanemab contributed to a “significant slowing” of their cognitive decline, renewing hope that researchers are closing in on therapies to fight the disease.
The two year study, which has now concluded its second phase before entering a third and final phase, found patients’ decline was slowed by as much as 32 percent over 18 months – a reduction researchers described as “statistically significant”.
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, which is leading the study, saw its share price soar by 14 percent in light of the new discovery. Dr Daniel Skovronsky, the company’s chief scientific officer, praised the “positive results” of the trial which has provided “confidence” that donanemab could be a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s.
In southwestern France near the city of Dax, a community has been created with the specific needs of its 105 residents - all of whom suffer from Alzheimer’s in varying stages. “It takes a village to raise a child” says an old African proverb, but it seems that ancient wisdom may also hold true when it comes to caring for elderly Alzheimer’s patients. More...