Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disease affecting more than 6.5 million people in the U.S. It’s the most common cause of dementia and usually affects older adults.
While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, some medications may alleviate certain symptoms such as confusion and forgetfulness. Now a newly approved medication offers hope of slowing the progress of the disease. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved lecanemab (Leqembi®) in July. In clinical trials, the medication slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s for people in the early stages of the disease.
In the early stages, Alzheimer’s disease affects a person’s ability to remember, think and communicate. It may also cause changes in mood and behavior. How quickly the disease progresses depends on many factors, including age and other health conditions.
“This medication is the first FDA-approved drug to target Alzheimer’s underlying disease processes. It allows people in the early stages of the disease to maintain their quality of life for longer,” says Marina Novikova, D.O., a behavioral neurologist at Henry Ford Health.
The clinical trial that led to FDA approval treated people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s with lecanemab for 18 months. The medication slowed the progression of the disease for 5.4 months. “This benefit may seem small. However, it means that people could maintain their quality of life longer without worsening symptoms,” says Dr. Novikova.
Who Is Lecanemab For?
Alzheimer's Disease Care At Henry Ford
Lecanemab is a biweekly intravenous (IV) treatment for people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia caused by Alzheimer’s disease. It does not work for any other type of dementia. It works by deactivating a protein called beta-amyloid. This protein accumulates in the brain, damaging brain cells in people with Alzheimer’s. Lecanemab can be given with other medications prescribed for Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Not everyone with early-stage Alzheimer’s is a candidate for lecanemab. People who take blood thinners or have a history of brain bleeds or cancer may have an increased risk of brain bleeding from this medication.
People with a gene mutation called APOE e4 have a 45% increased risk of brain bleeding with lecanemab. Your doctor may recommend genetic testing to determine if you have this mutation before beginning treatment.
Lecanameb Side Effects
The most serious side effects of lecanemab are brain swelling or bleeding, which affected about 20% of people in the clinical trial. If your doctor recommends lecanemab, you’ll have regular brain imaging tests to monitor for these complications. Less serious side effects include headache, dizziness, worsening confusion and nausea.
Future Alzheimer’s Treatments
Lecanemab has opened the door for more Alzheimer’s treatment options in the future, Dr. Novikova says. Other medications are in development that target beta-amyloid and other proteins linked to the disease.
“In the next five years, we hope to see new medications targeting the mechanisms that drive Alzheimer’s disease. As science advances, we hope that new treatments will offer even greater benefits,” she adds.
Reviewed by Dr. Marina Novikova, a neurologist who sees patients at Henry Ford West Bloomfield Hospital.
