An exciting update on the race to end Alzheimer’s disease: in a clinical trial, a new drug reduced amyloid plaques and improved cognitive function — the first time a drug has had both effects. Dr. Reisa Sperling of the MADRC, quoted in the The New York Times, said, “I don’t know if we’ve hit a home run yet. It’s important not to over-conclude on the data. But as a proof of concept, I feel like this is very encouraging.”
The study involved 856 patients with either Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD), who also had a significant burden of amyloid protein plaques. Of the participants who received the highest injection of the investigational medication, 81% “converted from amyloid negative to amlyoid positive”, showing significant drops in the plaques. Additionally, this high-dose group presented significantly slower cognitive decline than the placebo group.
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