In November 2022, we heard about a drug treatment ‘Lecanemab’ that was shown to slow down the decline in memory and thinking skills of people living with early Alzheimer’s disease by 27%

The treatment stimulates the immune system to attack the proteins that build up between the neurons in the brains of people with the disease.

It is thought to slow the progression by about 7 months in those with mild to moderate symptoms. At the moment, in Kent only 57% of people are even getting a diagnosis. It is thought that the makers will go through the licensing process next year.

Yesterday (Wednesday 3 May 2023), the pharmaceutical company – Eli Lilly made a huge announcement in the fight against Alzheimer’s. In a decisive phase 3 trial, the drug donanemab has been shown to successfully slow memory and thinking decline in patients with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. With the second positive drug result announced in the last six months, this is a major development that could help those suffering with dementia. However, it also caused serious side effects for some participants, and has unfortunately resulted in three deaths in the trial which was caused by brain swelling.

Donanemab and lecanemab, two ground-breaking antibodies recently discovered to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s Disease, work by targeting and clearing dangerous beta amyloid plaques from the brain.

These plaques are a defining characteristic of Alzheimer’s and can cause a wide range of cognitive problems, so discovering that these antibodies can clear them is an incredible breakthrough in the fight against this devastating condition.

What is Donanemab?

Donanemab, a breakthrough hypnotherapy drug developed by Eli Lilly, is opening up hope as a potential treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. It works by teaching the body’s immune cells to recognise and remove toxic amyloid protein build-ups in the brain, which can lead to symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. Intravenous administration is required in order to give patients the best chance of success.