--- title: "New Drug Hailed as “Turning Point” in Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease" description: "Scientists are calling a new drug called donanemab a \"turning point\" in the fight against Alzheimer's. A trial showed promising results." date: "2023-07-18" modified: "2023-07-18" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/neoscope/new-drug-turning-point-alzheimers-disease" categories: - "Brain" - "Health & Medicine" - "Neuroscience and Brain" tags: - "Alzheimer's" - "cognitive decline" --- # New Drug Hailed as “Turning Point” in Fight Against Alzheimer’s Disease ![Scientists are calling a new drug called donanemab a "turning point" in the fight against Alzheimer's. A trial showed promising results.]() *\Image: Getty / Futurism\* Scientists are calling a new drug called donanemab a "turning point" in the fight against Alzheimer's, the [*BBC* reports](), with a major trial showing a significant slowing down in cognitive decline. It may not be a cure — but it's a notable step in the right direction that could allow those suffering from the disease to live longer, less-impeded lives. And in the gloomy world of dementia treatments, where promising new pharmaceuticals have a habit of withering under scrutiny, that could be a big deal. As detailed in a [new paper]() published in the journal *JAMA*, researchers conducted a global trial involving 1,736 people aged 60 to 85 with early-stage Alzheimer's. Half the participants received a placebo, while the other half received monthly infusions of the drug over 18 months. The results were promising. According to the study, the treatment "significantly slowed clinical progression" over that time period "among participants with early symptomatic Alzheimer disease." More specifically, the drug produced by pharmaceutical Eli Lilly slowed cognitive decline in patients by around 35 percent. As the *BBC* notes, the drug works in a similar way to another drug called lecanemab, which [made headlines last year](). Trials at the time showed that the drug reduced cognitive decline [by 27 percent]() in patients experiencing the early stage of Alzheimer's — a rare one-two punch that could, if you squint hard enough, even look like progressively effective treatments against the devastating condition. "We now have two potentially life-changing Alzheimer’s treatments on the horizon and we need to see rapid regulatory decisions so people who could benefit from these treatments aren’t left in limbo," Susan Kohlhaas, the executive director of research and partnerships at Alzheimer’s Research UK, [told *The Guardian*](). "After 20 years without new Alzheimer’s medicines, people affected by this disease deserve to have answers about new treatments as quickly as possible," she added. But there are drawbacks to these drugs as well. Neither drug is risk-free. During the donanemab trial, scientists observed serious side-effects including brain swelling, which led to three deaths in the group of participants — and, curiously, one death in the placebo group as well. Despite the risks, even the Alzheimer's Society is hailing Eli Lilly's latest drug as a huge success. "This is truly a turning point in the fight against Alzheimer’s, and science is proving that it is possible to slow down the disease," Richard Oakley, an associate director of research and innovation at Alzheimer’s Society, told *The Guardian*. "Treatments like donanemab are the first steps towards a future where Alzheimer’s disease could be considered a long-term condition alongside diabetes or asthma," he added, "people may have to live with it, but they could have treatments that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and continue to live fulfilled lives." **More on Alzheimer's:** *[Scientists Intrigued by Man With Mutation That Protects Against Alzheimer's]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()