Latest news with #Lecanemab
The Age
25-05-2025
- Health
- The Age
Brain scan to detect Alzheimer's before symptoms appear is world first
It has already been designated by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States as a 'breakthrough' device. The neuroscientist behind the advances said it meant medical professionals were able to see changes in the brain far earlier, at a level normally only be possible via a post-mortem examination. Over the past year, two major treatments for Alzheimer's disease have been given the green light by UK regulators. Donanemab and lecanemab are the first treatments found to slow progression of the disease. Donanemab has just been approved for use in Australia, however is not yet available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Lecanemab has not received approval. Both have also been blocked for use on Britain's National Health Service, on the grounds they are not cost-effective. Experts believe that diagnosing dementia early is key to making treatments more effective and helping to ensure they become more widely available. Almost 1 million people in Britain are living with dementia, but this number is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040. About 400,000 people have dementia in Australia. Oxford Brain Diagnostics, a spinout company from the University of Oxford, was founded by Dr Steven Chance, former associate professor of neuroscience at Oxford, and Professor Mark Jenkinson, a leading expert in brain imaging. Loading The breakthrough was achieved after the company received funding from British investment firm BGF and the Oxford Technology & Innovations Fund. Identify other neurodegenerative conditions Studies have found the method can detect neurodegenerative changes before any visible brain shrinkage or atrophy appears on standard imaging as well as distinguish between different types of dementia. It has also been found to predict which individuals with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop dementia. The platform could also help to identify other neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Chance said: 'The core technology is founded on my background, looking at the microscopic structure of brains at autopsy for many years. You couldn't do that with a living patient and this is what we needed.' He said the technology could have a transformative impact, bringing hope to 'millions of people who are seeking a non-invasive, precision diagnostic tool to reveal the truth about their brain health'. For now, the target patient market is those suffering mild cognitive decline, allowing professionals to differentiate between types of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Chance said clinics might offer annual checks for those with concerns about memory problems. In time, and with the advent of more medicines to treat dementia, such advances could be rolled out to those in mid-life, he said. 'More than 20 per cent of those over 50 have Alzheimer's-type changes, small-scale changes that would be otherwise invisible. These breakthroughs open up a whole new way of monitoring brain health.' Alzheimer's Research UK policy head David Thomas said: 'Dementia is caused by diseases that often begin years before symptoms appear, and so finding new ways to detect these diseases earlier is vital. There is a huge amount of progress happening in this space and it's encouraging to see UK companies contributing to that. 'While this technology shows promise for diagnosing dementia earlier, so far it has only been validated in research settings. We're still some way off it being used within the NHS and we would need to see much more real-world clinical data to fully understand its potential. Loading 'Improving early and accurate diagnosis is crucial – not only to give people clarity about their condition but also to ensure they can access the right support and, in future, new treatments as they become available.' The Telegraph, London
Sydney Morning Herald
25-05-2025
- Health
- Sydney Morning Herald
Brain scan to detect Alzheimer's before symptoms appear is world first
It has already been designated by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in the United States as a 'breakthrough' device. The neuroscientist behind the advances said it meant medical professionals were able to see changes in the brain far earlier, at a level normally only be possible via a post-mortem examination. Over the past year, two major treatments for Alzheimer's disease have been given the green light by UK regulators. Donanemab and lecanemab are the first treatments found to slow progression of the disease. Donanemab has just been approved for use in Australia, however is not yet available on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. Lecanemab has not received approval. Both have also been blocked for use on Britain's National Health Service, on the grounds they are not cost-effective. Experts believe that diagnosing dementia early is key to making treatments more effective and helping to ensure they become more widely available. Almost 1 million people in Britain are living with dementia, but this number is expected to reach 1.4 million by 2040. About 400,000 people have dementia in Australia. Oxford Brain Diagnostics, a spinout company from the University of Oxford, was founded by Dr Steven Chance, former associate professor of neuroscience at Oxford, and Professor Mark Jenkinson, a leading expert in brain imaging. Loading The breakthrough was achieved after the company received funding from British investment firm BGF and the Oxford Technology & Innovations Fund. Identify other neurodegenerative conditions Studies have found the method can detect neurodegenerative changes before any visible brain shrinkage or atrophy appears on standard imaging as well as distinguish between different types of dementia. It has also been found to predict which individuals with mild cognitive impairment are more likely to develop dementia. The platform could also help to identify other neurodegenerative conditions including Parkinson's disease and multiple sclerosis. Chance said: 'The core technology is founded on my background, looking at the microscopic structure of brains at autopsy for many years. You couldn't do that with a living patient and this is what we needed.' He said the technology could have a transformative impact, bringing hope to 'millions of people who are seeking a non-invasive, precision diagnostic tool to reveal the truth about their brain health'. For now, the target patient market is those suffering mild cognitive decline, allowing professionals to differentiate between types of dementia and other neurodegenerative diseases. Chance said clinics might offer annual checks for those with concerns about memory problems. In time, and with the advent of more medicines to treat dementia, such advances could be rolled out to those in mid-life, he said. 'More than 20 per cent of those over 50 have Alzheimer's-type changes, small-scale changes that would be otherwise invisible. These breakthroughs open up a whole new way of monitoring brain health.' Alzheimer's Research UK policy head David Thomas said: 'Dementia is caused by diseases that often begin years before symptoms appear, and so finding new ways to detect these diseases earlier is vital. There is a huge amount of progress happening in this space and it's encouraging to see UK companies contributing to that. 'While this technology shows promise for diagnosing dementia earlier, so far it has only been validated in research settings. We're still some way off it being used within the NHS and we would need to see much more real-world clinical data to fully understand its potential. Loading 'Improving early and accurate diagnosis is crucial – not only to give people clarity about their condition but also to ensure they can access the right support and, in future, new treatments as they become available.' The Telegraph, London
Nikkei Asia
14-05-2025
- Health
- Nikkei Asia
Biogen, Eisai to shift some Alzheimer's drug production to US
TOKYO -- Japan's Eisai and American partner Biogen will transfer some production of active ingredients for their Alzheimer's disease treatment lecanemab to the U.S. amid concerns that President Donald Trump will slap tariffs on pharmaceuticals. Lecanemab was approved in the U.S. in 2023 as the world's first drug to slow the cognitive decline associated with Alzheimer's. The treatment also has received approval in Japan, China, Europe and elsewhere, with its use spreading gradually.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Report shows effects of Alzheimer's in KY, the disease ‘you can't see'
Reda and Joe Harrison (Photo provided) Before Reda Harrison was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, she worked 10-hour days as a surgery coordinator in Lexington. Always 'an organized person,' Harrison 'knew something was wrong' when, in 2018, she started feeling confused and lost at work. Waking at 5 a.m. for work, the Nicholasville woman, 65, said she eventually 'made an index card to tell me every step I had to take every morning: brush my teeth, floss…put your makeup on. I had to write it all out, because I would just stand in front of the mirror not knowing what to do.' Harrison is one of the more than 80,000 Kentuckians aged 65 and older living with an Alzheimer's diagnosis as reported in the 2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report, released by the Alzheimer's Association last week. Her husband, Joe, is one of the 160,000 Kentucky residents that the new report says provide unpaid care for a loved one with Alzheimer's. Alzheimer's disease, which falls under the umbrella of dementia, is characterized by memory loss and is incurable, though treatments exist. One of those treatments underwent clinical trials at the University of Kentucky, Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi). This is an antibody that targets — and in some cases, removes — amyloid plaques from the brain, and has shown some success in slowing cognitive decline. Amyloid plaques are proteins that formin the brain and are believed to be a significant driver of Alzheimer's. Lecanemab was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2023. Referring to lecanemab, Mackenzie Wallace, the director of public policy at the Alzheimer's Association in Kentucky, told the Lantern that this 'is an exciting time' for treating the disease. In March, Senate President Robert Stivers, R-Manchester, announced Kentucky invested $300,000 into space research that will allow the Louisville nonprofit National Stem Cell Foundation to continue researching the way brain cells behave in microgravity in the hopes of finding better treatments — and cures — for Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and Alzheimer's. The money — which was allocated in the 2024 legislative session's Senate Bill 1 — is a 10% match for a $3.1 million NASA grant. Scientists hope that research can result in a cure. Meanwhile, this is 'the first time in more than 20 years that we actually have a treatment now that is effective at slowing the progression of the disease, and it's also the first treatment that actually addresses the underlying biology of the disease,' Wallace said of lecanemab. It's key to start Lecanemab in the early stages of the disease, making it unsurprising that Tuesday's report showed most — 79% of Americans surveyed — want to know if they have Alzheimer's early. 'I think Americans want to know now that it's becoming less of a taboo or less of a stigma to talk about brain health, and Americans want to know about it, and they want to talk about it,' Wallace said. Shannon White, executive director of the Alzheimer's Association's Greater Kentucky and Southern Indiana chapter, called the Tuesday report's findings 'profound.' 'Now more than ever, we need to work to advance disease research and treatments that can slow the current trajectory and help all Kentucky families affected by Alzheimer's and other dementia,' White said in a statement. The 2025 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures Report shows, among other things, a serious need for more geriatricians and more personal aides to care for the 80,500 senior Kentuckians who live with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's. There were 48 providers with geriatric certificates in Kentucky in 2021, according to the Facts and Figures report. It estimates Kentucky will need 393 by 2050 to care for all Kentuckians 65 and older and at least 144 geriatricians to care only for those with Alzheimer's or dementia. 'To meet the increased need and the demand by 2050 we're going to need a 200% increase in geriatricians,' Wallace said. 'And that's just … almost unfathomable.' The number of diagnoses are expected to increase as the Baby Boomer generation continues to age. It's also worth noting, Wallace said, that not everyone who has Alzheimer's has a diagnosis. 'We know that, still, early detection and diagnosis is a challenge. Even disclosure of diagnosis is still a problem, stigma, denial, etcetera — all of those still impact or affect the ability or desire of people to be able to get a diagnosis. And so the fact that we're already at 7.2 million people with a diagnosis (nationally) definitely makes you wonder like, wow, how much would that number increase if we kind of thought or were able to measure the people that are at risk, or that have mild cognitive impairment but have not yet been diagnosed?' Wallace said. 'I think that's pretty shocking.' The report also showed: There are 80,500 Kentucky residents aged 65 and older living with Alzheimer's. 10% of adults 65 and older live with Alzheimer's. In 2022, 1,509 Kentuckians died from Alzheimer's. In 2024, there were 160,000 Kentucky residents serving as unpaid family caregivers. Those Kentuckians provided 307 million hours of unpaid care worth $4.9 billion. Among other policies Wallace wants Kentucky to implement, she'd like to see an incentive program for caregivers, similar to the Credit for Caring Act that was introduced in Congress in 2024 that would give eligible caregivers a $5,000 tax credit. 'The cost of this disease is really just staggering,' Wallace said. When it comes to unpaid caregivers, she said, 'these are family members, friends, neighbors, loved ones, that are trying to provide care for individuals, for their loved ones.' If those Kentuckians who are receiving unpaid care were to have to live in nursing homes, Wallace said, 'that's at a great cost to the state' and it's not as good for the patients. Meanwhile, Wallace said, unpaid caregivers carry an 'all consuming' responsibility. 'If caregivers are out here providing care to their loved one in the home, what does that mean for their own financial well being? Are they dipping into their own retirement funds and savings? Are they having to leave the workforce entirely to provide more care? Are they having to drop down to part time?' Wallace said. 'It's a huge economic toll on caregivers financially, and then on the other side of the coin, it's a massive toll on our caregivers for their own well being.' It took Reda Harrison two years to 'wrap my arms around' her Alzheimer's diagnosis. She credits her Christian faith with helping her learn to cope with it and, ultimately, share her story with others. Harrison, who no longer works, attends a support group in Louisville, founded one in Lexington and volunteers with the Alzheimer's Association. 'Everybody's case is different. It affects you differently. For me, it was more confusion,' Harrison said. 'Since I left work, what I've noticed is my short term memory is really bad. I can do something and, a minute later, I can't remember if I did it or not.' In addition to attending support groups and volunteering, Harrison fills her time with 'anything I can to improve my brain.' She takes piano lessons, studies Spanish on Duolingo, a language learning app, practices yoga, quilts and does beadwork. Her service dog, Dolly Parton — named after the musician and philanthropist because of the poodle's 'poofy hair' — helps her cope with the depression that comes with her diagnosis. Dolly Parton, the dog, can also help direct her home if she goes for a walk and gets turned around. 'She has really been a lifesaver for me,' Harrison said. 'The way she helps me, mostly, is emotional. If I'm having a tough day, she just knows. She's very comforting, because with this disease, you have a tendency to get depressed. And she helps me.' Poodle Dolly Parton runs all Harrison's errands with her as well and loves to be in the car. 'She's just my companion,' Harrison said. 'She keeps me independent.' Harrison, who is taking Leqembi infusions now, isn't sure what the future holds for her, or how her Alzheimer's will progress. 'People decline so differently. Some of the ones that I used to have conversations with can't even talk anymore. But for me, I really haven't declined that much. I think it's just my relationship with God, but I don't know — there's no science behind that,' she said. 'I'm happy. I have learned to embrace my disease and I don't run from it. You can't run from it. You can't hide from it.' She wants more people to research Alzheimer's and educate themselves on it, she said. She believes that's the key to defeating societal stigma around it. 'People say, 'Oh, you don't look like you have Alzheimer's. You look normal,'' Harrison said. 'They don't know what Alzheimer is. You can't see Alzheimer's until you're far into it.' Since her diagnosis, she's lost friends who just felt too uncomfortable with the disease to be around her, she said, saying it felt like 'leprosy in the Bible times.' That hurts, and she wants to change negative perceptions of the disease. 'I am still Reda. I am the same person I've always been. I'm probably a nicer person now, more caring,' she said. 'We still want to be treated for who we are.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Irish Daily Mirror
05-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
'Positivity' for Alzheimer's treatment as new drug approved that slows it down
There has never been 'such positivity' about treatments for Alzheimer's, and big changes will come in just a few months. This is according to Immunologist Luke O'Neill, as a drug that will slow down the disease was recently approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). Recent studies also suggest that the shingles vaccine may be associated with a reduced risk of developing Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. Some research has indicated a 20% lower risk of developing the disease over a seven-year period. Speaking to the Irish Sunday Mirror, Professor O'Neill said: 'There was a big conference in Vienna two weeks ago, which I wasn't at but I saw the reports and you've never heard such a positivity. 'It's extremely encouraging was the phrase they were using and as to what's happening with things like Alzheimer's.' The drug approved by the EMA and earlier by the FDA is called Lecanemab. It works by targeting and removing amyloid-beta proteins from the brain, which are believed to play a key role in the development and progression of Alzheimer's disease. The immunologist said massive work is underway to identify what people this drug is working for. He believes in the 'coming months' this will be made more clear. Professor O'Neill continued: 'It's causing great excitement because it's the first drug ever to slow down the disease, as it gets worse and worse as you get older. 'So here we have the first example of something slowing it down. The main thing is to find out who is going to respond, and that's going to happen in the coming months.' There is currently massive work on this underway, including in Dublin. The PREVENT dementia programme is the world's largest study investigating the origins and early diagnosis of dementia in a mid-life 'at risk' cohort. It has recruited and deeply phenotyped 700 participants aged 40-59 across the UK and Ireland. AI is also expected to vastly speed up drug trials, as Professor Luke says 'there's no doubt' it will positively impact the pharmaceutical industry. There are currently 127 drugs being tested for Alzheimer's, as incidence is increasing. In Ireland, the number of people living with Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia are expected to double by 2045. However, Professor O'Neill stressed that these drugs are looking very positive, and that lifestyle changes also have a massive impact. He continued: 'Good news is amazing studies have come out showing that if you to change your lifestyle, you'll decrease your risk of Alzheimer and dementia in general. And you wouldn't believe the data on this is getting stronger and stronger. 'They reckon that 45% of dementia can be prevented by changing your lifestyle. We're talking about the usual things like good diet, exercise, keeping your brain active.' The immunologist said high cholesterol, loss of hearing and loneliness are also risk factors for the disease. He added: 'These are things we can all do to decrease our risk of getting it, and they are very optimistic.'
