The medical community has made a significant new discovery with the potential to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers have identified a drug named Lecanemab, which has demonstrated its ability to reduce cognitive decline in patients with early Alzheimer’s. This treatment is hailed as one of the pioneering neuroprotective interventions for the disease.
The Significance of Lecanemab
While there are a few medications that can enhance memory during the onset of Alzheimer’s, these treatments fail to address other aspects of the condition. A gap in the market for neuroprotective drugs for dementia is evident, and numerous prospects are currently being explored.
Extended lifespans combined with prevalent lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension, and obesity, are projected to significantly escalate the cases of dementia in India. Dementia refers to a cluster of disorders characterized by impaired memory, decision-making, and social skills.
According to the Dementia in India report 2020, there are an estimated 5.3 million individuals aged 60 years and above living with dementia in India. With current trends, this number is projected to escalate to 14 million by 2050.
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
Alzheimer’s is a neurological disorder that triggers brain cells to degenerate and die, leading to memory loss, language difficulties, poor judgment, mood and personality alterations, and confusion about time or place. While the initial symptoms are usually mild, they tend to intensify over time.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common source of dementia among older adults. The accumulation of abnormal protein deposits in and around the brain cells is believed to trigger the condition. One such protein is amyloid, which forms plaques around brain cells, and the other is tau. When tangled formations of tau occur in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, they disrupt the neurons’ capacity to communicate.
Alzheimer’s disease is currently incurable since brain cell death cannot be reversed. Women are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease than men.
Treatment Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease
As of now, there is no definitive cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Treatment strategies target several areas. These involve assisting patients to maintain brain health, managing behavioral symptoms, and slowing or delaying disease symptoms. The discovery of Lecanemab as a potential treatment marks significant progress in finding neuroprotective solutions for Alzheimer’s and similar diseases.