US approves first new Alzheimer's drug in 20 years

World 07:33 PM - 2021-06-07

Photo Credit: BBC

The first new treatment for Alzheimer's disease for nearly 20 years has been approved by regulators in the United States, paving the way for its use in the UK.

 

Aducanumab targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer's, the most common form of dementia, rather than its symptoms.

 

Charities have welcomed the news of a new therapy for the condition.

 

But scientists are divided over its potential impact because of uncertainty over the trial results.

 

At least 100,000 people in the UK with a mild form of the disease could be suitable for the drug if it were to be approved by the UK regulator.

 

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said there was "substantial evidence that aducanumab reduces amyloid beta plaques in the brain" and that this "is reasonably likely to predict important benefits to patients".

 

In March 2019, late-stage international trials of aducanumab, involving about 3,000 patients, were halted when analysis showed the drug, given as a monthly infusion, was not better at slowing the deterioration of memory and thinking problems than a dummy drug.

 

But later that year, the US manufacturer Biogen analysed more data and concluded the drug did work, as long as it was given in higher doses. The company also said it significantly slowed cognitive decline.

 

Aducanumab targets amyloid, a protein that forms abnormal clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's that can damage cells and trigger dementia, including:

 

memory and thinking problems

communication issues

confusion

 

 

 

PUKmedia / BBC