Skip to main content

Solanezumab: The Alzheimer’s Breakthrough We’ve Been Waiting For?

2 min read

By ActiveBeat Author

A new drug may completely change the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Early tests show the drug, Solanezumab, could cut the progression of dementia by one-third.

Solanezumab is produced by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly. It’s designed to attack the deformed proteins that build up in the brain as Alzheimer’s disease progresses. Most Alzheimer’s drugs on the market today, such as Aricept, function in a different way–they manage the symptoms of the disease by assisting the brain’s dying cells in functioning.

Solanezumab’s approach appears to be far more successful. Already tests have shown that it can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by a remarkable 34-percent, giving medical researchers and physicians more time to devise strategies for combating the disease.

Now, more recent tests have shown that, the longer one takes Solanezumab, the more extensive the benefits. Experts believe that the amount of cognitive decline typically seen in an Alzheimer’s patient after 18-months would take 24-months with the drug.

Dr. Eric Siemers of Lilly Research Laboratories says his team is very optimistic about Solanezumab’s tests so far. “It’s another piece of evidence that Solanezumab does have an effect on the underlying disease pathology,” Siemers said. “We think there is a chance that Solanezumab will be the first disease-modifying medication to be available.”

Although Solanezumab isn’t a cure for Alzheimer’s, experts–like Dr. Eric Karran of Alzheimer’s Research UK–believe it’s a huge step towards finding that cure. “I think we could be on the verge of a radical breakthrough,” Karran said. “We’ve never ever had evidence that we can affect the disease process.”

ActiveBeat Author

Contributor

Activebeat is dedicated to bringing readers all of the important news and information in the world of health. From recalls and outbreaks to fitness, nutrition and studies, we cover every aspect of health news, every day.

Trending Health News

Explore

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

Hard boiled eggs may be the cause of a listeria outbreak in five different states. At the time of this post, seven people have fallen ill, four have been hospitalized, and there has been one death. The affected states are Florida, Texas, Maine, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. On Dec. 18, a food safety alert was […]

Read More about Hard-Boiled Eggs Linked To Listeria Outbreak

2 min read

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States
By Katherine George Trending Health News

Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

The most recent food recall is linked to store-bought blackberries which may have caused a hepatitis A outbreak in several states. Last month the CDC announced the initial recall of blackberries purchased at Fresh Thyme Farmers Markets during September 2019 as a result of a possible contamination. According to the CDC report, by December 2, […]

Read More about Blackberry-Related Hepatitis A Outbreak in Six States

2 min read