Three Alzheimer's drugs that could halt symptoms as one is nearly approved
As TV presenter Fiona Phillips told how she had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease it was also revealed that she was trialling a drug to combat the illness.
The 62-year-old Mirror columnist was told she had the illness a year ago after suffering months of brain fog and anxiety.
Fiona is now undergoing trials for a revolutionary new drug which scientists hope could slow or even reverse the illness for millions of sufferers in the years to come.
The former breakfast TV host said: "This disease has ravaged my family and now it has come for me. And all over the country there are people of all different ages whose lives are being affected by it - it’s heartbreaking. I just hope I can help find a cure which might make things better for others in the future."
A number of drugs are being studied (Getty Images/Science Photo Library RF)Alzheimer’s disease causes the cells in the brain to get sick and eventually die, which leads to symptoms including memory loss.
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Currently there are no disease-modifying treatments available in the UK for any type of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
There also hasn't been a new drug approved for the disease in 20 years, according to the Alzheimer's Society.
Current drugs treat the symptoms but not the root cause and don't slow it down.
Research funded by the Alzheimer's Society showed a key role in the build up of protein amyloid in the brain and the disease.
Drugs have sine been developed to try and clear amyloid from the brain, called immunotherapies.
Researchers believe that by clearing amyloid plaques from the brain the disease could be slowed down
Three drugs aim to do the same and have shown promise in treating Alzheimer’s disease.
1. Donanemab
Donanemab is given to patients by an intravenous drip, using a liquid medicine in a bag to enter a person’s bloodstream through a catheter.
A recent trial detailed that the drug could slow down how quickly memory and thinking skills declined by more than a third of people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
According to experts it successfully removed amyloid from the brains of more than 70 per cent of participants in a trial that lasted 18 months.
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2. Lecanemab
Lecanemab is another immunotherapy drug, developed by the pharmaceutical company Eisai. It is aimed at helping people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and is administered by an intravenous drip.
It has received approval in the US and decisions are pending by the EU and UK regulators for next year where it could soon be approved.
Results from tests showed that lecanemab successfully removed amyloid and tau proteins from the brains of people with early Alzheimer’s disease.
This meant the decline in their thinking and memory skills was slowed down by 27%. It also slowed down the decline in quality of life by up to 56%.
3. Remternetug
Remternetug is another amyloid-targeting immunotherapy drug, also for people living with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.
Patients need to visit a clinic to receiver the medicine which can take up to an hour and it is hoped it is more effective than other treatments, but full trials of the drug are ongoing.
For further information on these drugs and on Alzheimer's disease visit here.
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