Science Weekly The surprising value of boring chats, ‘super El Niño’ and Alzheimer’s evidence reviewed
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Apr 16, 2026 They discuss a major review of amyloid-targeting Alzheimer’s drugs and what the findings mean for current treatments. They explain signs that a potentially strong El Niño might form and how that could affect global weather. They explore research on why supposedly boring small talk often feels better than we expect and why everyday conversations matter.
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Clearing Amyloid Alone Likely Won't Cure Alzheimer's
- Amyloid plaques may initiate Alzheimer's but clearing them does not reliably slow cognitive decline.
- A Cochrane review pooled 17 trials (~20,000 participants) and found little to no symptom improvement despite reduced amyloid.
Antibody Drugs Reduce Plaques But Bring Harms
- Anti-amyloid antibody drugs reduce brain amyloid but show mixed clinical benefit and raise safety concerns.
- Trials reported small increases in brain swelling and microbleeds, some potentially life-threatening, with only minor functional gains in one study.
Review May Mask Benefits Of Newer Treatments
- Critics argue the review mixed early ineffective drugs with newer ones, which may obscure modest benefits of agents like lecanemab and donanemab.
- Researchers still hold cautious optimism for targeted, early, or longer treatments despite the review's conclusions.