BGS responds to scientific paper ‘Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease’

On 29th November 2022, The New England Journal of Medicine published a paper which found that Lecanemab reduced markers of amyloid in early Alzheimer’s disease.

This resulted in moderately less decline on measures of cognition and function than placebo at 18 months but was associated with adverse events. They concluded that longer trials are warranted to determine the efficacy and safety of Lecanemab in early Alzheimer’s disease.

In response to the publication of this paper, Professor Emma Vardy, Chair of the BGS Dementia and Related Disorders Special Interest Group, commented:

The news of the drug Lecanemab, an antibody therapy which acts against the amyloid clumps present in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease, is extremely welcome. After a number of disappointing drug trials, this offers real hope for a disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The effects appear modest and it is anticipated there will be more information on impact and safety over time. Whilst this is exciting news, there is a long process involved in this treatment undergoing the necessary evaluation before it could be made available through the NHS for people living with dementia. Meanwhile it is more important than ever that patients are able to obtain an accurate and timely diagnosis of dementia and that we have services in place that can support them and their families to manage their condition.”