The Food and Drug Administration on Friday granted accelerated approval for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment that has been shown to slow down the progression of the disease. Lecanemab, or Leqembi, showed a “significant reduction in brain amyloid plaque from baseline to Week 79 compared to the placebo arm, which had no reduction of amyloid beta plaque.” Amyloid plaque is the buildup of proteins in the brain that causes Alzheimer’s to progress. The medication is not considered to be a cure. Patients tested had either mild cognitive impairment or were at a mild dementia stage of the disease. “This is really a ray of hope,” Jim Wessler, Alzheimer’s Association, said. “It’s really a significant difference in quality of life hopefully for millions of Americans and thousands of Vermonters.”More than six million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. In Vermont, Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death. The Vermont Department of Health reported 13,000 residents 65 and older suffered from the disease in 2020. By 2025, they expect a 31 percent increase and predict 17,000 Vermonters will live with this diagnosis. Wessler believes that this is a major step, but their next battle for this treatment to have a broad impact is affordability. Currently, they’re reaching out to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services to get the drug covered.We need to make sure this isn’t a drug that is only available to people who are wealthy and can pay privately,” Wessler said. The Alzheimer’s Association of America also reacted to the FDA approval on Friday: “Today is a day of hope and optimism that we are gaining ground in the fight against Alzheimer’s.“We are hopeful that the FDA’s accelerated approval of Lecanemab will make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. As with any medication, patient access and affordability to all of those in need is of substantial importance.“This is another step forward, but not the end of the journey. We urge the federal government to further invest in Alzheimer’s research funding and caregiver support services to provide the more than 6 million American families affected by Alzheimer’s disease with additional help today and hope for tomorrow.”
The Food and Drug Administration on Friday granted accelerated approval for an Alzheimer’s disease treatment that has been shown to slow down the progression of the disease.
Lecanemab, or Leqembi, showed a “significant reduction in brain amyloid plaque from baseline to Week 79 compared to the placebo arm, which had no reduction of amyloid beta plaque.” Amyloid plaque is the buildup of proteins in the brain that causes Alzheimer’s to progress. The medication is not considered to be a cure.
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Patients tested had either mild cognitive impairment or were at a mild dementia stage of the disease.
“This is really a ray of hope,” Jim Wessler, Alzheimer’s Association, said. “It’s really a significant difference in quality of life hopefully for millions of Americans and thousands of Vermonters.”
More than six million Americans have been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.
In Vermont, Alzheimer’s is the fifth leading cause of death. The Vermont Department of Health reported 13,000 residents 65 and older suffered from the disease in 2020. By 2025, they expect a 31 percent increase and predict 17,000 Vermonters will live with this diagnosis.
Wessler believes that this is a major step, but their next battle for this treatment to have a broad impact is affordability. Currently, they’re reaching out to the Center for Medicaid and Medicare Services to get the drug covered.
We need to make sure this isn’t a drug that is only available to people who are wealthy and can pay privately,” Wessler said.
The Alzheimer’s Association of America also reacted to the FDA approval on Friday:
“Today is a day of hope and optimism that we are gaining ground in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
“We are hopeful that the FDA’s accelerated approval of Lecanemab will make a positive difference in the lives of individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease. As with any medication, patient access and affordability to all of those in need is of substantial importance.
“This is another step forward, but not the end of the journey. We urge the federal government to further invest in Alzheimer’s research funding and caregiver support services to provide the more than 6 million American families affected by Alzheimer’s disease with additional help today and hope for tomorrow.”
