New Alzheimer’s Drug Isn’t a Cure, But It’s Promising, Says Neuroscientist

A new experimental Alzheimer’s drug called Lecamenab has shown “never-before-seen” results in slowing the progression of the disease.

That’s what neuroscientist and professor at UFRJ Mychael Lourenço explains.

THE CNN Radio he pondered that “you have to be cautious”, but that it is promising.

“It is promising because clearly, with the results, it actually reduces the progression of the disease. It’s not the cure yet, but it slows down the aggravation and promotes better life expectancy and quality,” he said.

The news is encouraging, but he reinforced that studies are needed to validate the drug’s safety.

“Clinical studies take a long time, it needs to be evaluated in the progressive disease, if it works as expected and if it causes other damage, and it needs to be tested in many patients, without serious problems”, he said.

Alzheimer’s disease mainly affects elderly people, usually over 65 years old, and brings several symptoms.

“The memory disorder is the most evident, it has a severe impact on life, other symptoms that end up being relevant, such as agitation, depression, which bring progress, the patient loses autonomy and the ability to make their own decisions.”

Alzheimer’s has no defined cause, but factors such as obesity, stress, lack of sleep and unhealthy lifestyle habits can increase the chance of developing the disease.

*Produced by Isabel Campos