The Dose What is lecanemab and how does it slow down Alzheimer's disease?
Nov 6, 2025
Dr. Sharon Cohen, a behavioral neurologist and medical director at the Toronto Memory Program, dives into the groundbreaking drug lecanemab, approved for slowing early-stage Alzheimer's. She discusses her firsthand experience in clinical trials, highlighting the promising results like significant cognitive stabilization. Cohen explains how lecanemab clears amyloid plaques and can lead to noticeable benefits within six months. She also compares it with other treatments, discusses ongoing therapy plans, and expresses optimism about future combination therapies for Alzheimer's.
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Amyloid Targeting Slows Early Disease
- Lecanemab is an antibody given by IV that targets amyloid, a toxic sticky protein in Alzheimer's brains.
- Clearing amyloid early slows progression and keeps people in mild stages longer with better quality of life.
Clinical Benefit Seen Early And Grows
- Phase three trials showed statistically significant separation from placebo by six months, with increasing benefit to 18 months.
- PET scans show robust amyloid clearance by three months and two-thirds cleared by 18 months.
Clearing Plaque Is Not The Whole Story
- Lecanemab targets both soluble precursor amyloid and plaque, so PET-negative scans don't mean the disease process stopped.
- Continuing treatment and starting early yield greater long-term benefits, including stability or improvement at four years for some.