Groundbreaking hope: New drug Leqembi fights Alzheimer's!

Groundbreaking hope: New drug Leqembi fights Alzheimer's!

Alzheimer's is a disease that affects up to 150,000 people in Austria. The new drug Leqembi with the active ingredient lecanemab was recently approved in the European Union. In contrast to previous therapies that only treat the symptoms, Leqembi aims to combat the causes of Alzheimer's. In Alzheimer's disease, beta-amyloid and tau proteins clump together in the brain, damaging nerve cells and ultimately leading to dementia.

Lecanemab works by removing these abnormal protein deposits and thus slowing the loss of nerve cells. In a Phase III study called Clarity-AD with 1,800 participants, it was shown that the drug can slow the progression of cognitive decline by 27%. The drug's approval applies to patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild early-stage dementia.

Diagnosis and administration

Diagnosis of Alzheimer's is made through a neurological examination, neuropsychological testing and imaging tests such as MRI. Detection of amyloid deposits is also necessary, which can be done through a lumbar puncture or an amyloid PET examination. Leqembi is given as an infusion every two weeks; the first infusion will be closely monitored. Possible side effects include fever, chills, cerebral edema and minor cerebral hemorrhage. In the pivotal study, 26% of participants experienced infusion-related reactions.

Although Leqembi slows the progression of Alzheimer's, the drug is not a cure. Experts emphasize the importance of prevention, with risk factors such as high blood pressure, diabetes and lack of exercise being controlled. In the USA, the annual price for the therapy is around 26,500 euros, while Medicare covers the costs provided that the treating doctor enters the patient into an approved registry.

New approaches in Alzheimer's research

In parallel with the development of Leqembi, there are also other approaches to treating Alzheimer's. A promising study examines the role of senescent cells, which are considered risk factors. These cells, called “zombie cells,” release chemicals that cause inflammation and damage healthy tissue. Researchers like Miranda Orr of Wake Forest University are testing senolytics, a class of drugs that eliminate senescent cells and have shown positive effects on the health of mice.

A practical example is the life of Lewis O. Beck Jr., who was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment ten years ago. He took part in a study examining the effectiveness of senolytics and hopes that this treatment can stabilize his condition.

Overall, Alzheimer's research is at a turning point. With the approval of Lecanemab and new experimental therapies, hope for better treatment options for those affected is getting closer. Further studies and research are needed to evaluate the different approaches and confirm their effectiveness.

However, the availability of Leqembi in Austria remains unclear for the time being, even though the drug has been approved in the EU since April 2025. This is also reported by the Alzheimer Association and National Geographic.

In summary, Leqembi not only represents an advance in the treatment of Alzheimer's, but also brings new impetus to research into the disease.