New Alzheimer’s disease treatments targeting the buildup of amyloid proteins in the brain may not have a significant impact on patient outcomes at all. According to a large-scale analysis published by the influential scientific organization Cochrane, the effect of these medications on cognitive abilities is negligible.
What does the study say?
Scientists analyzed data from 17 clinical trials involving over 20,000 participants. The analysis showed that despite 18 months of treatment, the impact of anti-amyloid drugs on disease severity and patients’ functional capabilities is so minor that it goes unnoticed by the patients and caregivers themselves.
According to the study’s authors, the drugs lack a clinically meaningful effect. Furthermore, patients receiving these medications experienced brain swelling and hemorrhaging more frequently compared to the placebo group.
Opposing Position
Cochrane’s conclusion has sparked mixed reactions. Critics point out that the analysis grouped together older, unsuccessful medications with next-generation effective drugs, such as Lecanemab (Eisai) and Donanemab (Eli Lilly).
This group of scientists explains that it is not surprising that by combining the results of ineffective and effective treatments, the final average figure turned out to be very low. On the other hand, they argue it is incorrect to declare the entire class of drugs a failure, as only two out of the 17 studies concerned the modern medications approved today.
Where is the solution?
Although these drugs have already been approved in many countries, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) in the UK has refused to provide public funding for them. NICE explained that the therapy only slows disease progression by 4 to 6 months, which does not justify the colossal costs to the state budget.
Some experts believe that removing amyloid plaques alone is not enough to treat Alzheimer’s. Research is already shifting toward other biological targets, such as tau protein and neuroinflammatory processes.
Scientists conclude that we must not create unrealistic expectations for patients.
