A new Alzheimer's drug demonstrated promising results in a mid-stage clinical trial, slowing cognitive decline by 35% compared to placebo. The treatment targets tau protein tangles in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer's progression.
The trial involved 500 patients with early-stage Alzheimer's disease over 18 months. Researchers measured cognitive function using standard tests and brain imaging to track disease progression.
Patients receiving the drug showed slower decline in memory, thinking skills, and daily functioning. Side effects were generally mild, with the most common being headaches and temporary confusion.
The drug works differently from existing Alzheimer's treatments, which primarily target amyloid plaques. Some experts believe combination therapies addressing both amyloid and tau might be most effective.
Pharmaceutical company Biogen, which developed the drug, plans to begin a larger Phase 3 trial later this year. If successful, the treatment could be available to patients within three to four years. Alzheimer's affects approximately 50 million people worldwide, with numbers expected to rise as populations age.