Medication brings hope to people living with dementia

Clinical trials have shown that the drug Donanemab is effective is slowing the rate of progress of Alzheimer’s Disease.
A major cause of Alzheimer’s disease is the growth of plaques on neuronal tissue caused by amyloids – a type of sticky protein. Donanemab attacks this amyloid protein, helping to remove it. According to the Journal Nature, results show that cognitive decline as result of Alzheimer’s Disease has been slowed by up to 60%.
However we need to be cautious in our optimism: firstly, It is not a cure, but slows down the progression. Secondly these type of monoclonal antibody drugs are only effective in the earlier stages of Alzheimer’s disease. Also – it will take time before these are widely available.
Still this is encouraging news and a milestone in Alzheimer’s Disease treatment. According to Dr. Richard Oakley of the Alzheimer’s Society: “This is truly a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s and science is proving that it is possible to slow down the disease”. New-drug-donanemab-turning-point-alzheimers.