11/12/2025
Recent news has highlighted the approval of new drugs that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
We asked Dr Khan, consultant neurologist, what this latest development means.
“For the first time in history, the MHRA, the UK licensing body, has approved two new drugs that have been shown to slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, the commonest type of dementia.
Lecanemab and Donanemab are infusions given every 2 to 4 weeks for a period of 18 months and they have been shown to slow progression by 30%. They are only used in early or mild dementia. They are antibodies that clear away amyloid, the protein that is deposited in the disease. This is a turning point that marks the beginning of the end for dementia.
It is more effective the earlier it is given, with a slowing of 40% when the data was analysed for people with milder symptoms. Early diagnosis of dementia has historically been done poorly but is more important than ever now.
As these new treatments become more widespread, identifying individuals at risk and diagnosing them at the earliest stage of disease is crucial. There are now studies looking at clearing amyloid even before symptoms, with approximately 150 major studies looking at treatments that slow down dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research UK published the statistic that if we treated all the modifiable risk factors for dementia, we could halve the amount of dementia in the world before it even develops, and 98% of us can do something to lower our risk of dementia. Bearing in mind that dementia is the commonest cause of death in the UK, we should be doing all we can to both identify our risk factors and diagnose early to treat at the earliest stage of disease.”
With new treatments now available, early diagnosis is more important than ever. Our Dementia Assessment provides clarity and precision in identifying the earliest signs of cognitive decline, looking beneath the surface to uncover underlying causes, supporting effective management and potential treatment. The assessment includes a Cognitive and Formal Neuropsychological evaluation, conducted by Dr Khan.
