A Step Forward in the Fight Against Dementia -- Are We There Yet?

This viewpoint reports on the results of the Clarity AD trial, a phase 3 randomized clinical trial of lecanemab for patients with early Alzheimer disease, in which lecanemab’s clinical efficacy was demonstrated using well-established outcome measures. Authors discuss the implications of the findings and the reported risks. From a clinician's perspective, they comment that persons diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease should have access to this drug, although no mention is made of its safety or applicability to adults with intellectual disability. The authors note the work that still remains to be undertaken, lecanemab's success represents a major milestone for the field, and what they consider as a moment of great hope for patients and families living with Alzheimer's disease.

Source: Wolk DA, Rabinovici GD, Dickerson BC. A Step Forward in the Fight Against Dementia-Are We There Yet? JAMA Neurol. 2023 Mar 13. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2023.0123. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36912845.