Two new assessments of clinical trials pointed to the need for more investment in Alzheimer's disease treatments. At the 2024 American Geriatrics Societyopens in a new tab or window (AGS) scientific meeting, researchers evaluated Alzheimer's trials funded by the National Institute on Aging (NIA) over a 20-year period. Another analysis, published in Alzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventionsopens in a new tab or window, provided a comprehensive look at active trials in the Alzheimer's drug pipeline.

Considering current developments in Alzheimer’s drugs, a US expert has predicted that the industry should “be prepared for more complex biological therapies that require intravenous infusion and vigilant monitoring for side effects; more like cancer therapies,” according to Dr Jeffrey Cummings, Alzheimer’s clinician-scientist and research professor at the School of Integrated Health Sciences, University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

The world of Alzheimer's treatments is at an inflection point as more potential drugs make their way out of clinical trials. On the heels of newly FDA-approved drugs Aduhelm (aducanumab) in 2021 and Leqembi (lecanemab) in 2023, a UNLV researcher says that 2024 is a "learning year" for Alzheimer's drug development.

The world of Alzheimer’s treatments is at an inflection point as more potential drugs make their way out of clinical trials. And on the heels of newly FDA-approved drugs Aduhelm® (aducanumab) in 2021 and Leqembi® (lecanemab) in 2023, a UNLV researcher says that 2024 is a “learning year” for Alzheimer’s drug development.

The world of Alzheimer's treatments is at an inflection point as more potential drugs make their way out of clinical trials. And on the heels of newly FDA-approved drugs Aduhelm® (aducanumab) in 2021 and Leqembi® (lecanemab) in 2023, a UNLV researcher says that 2024 is a "learning year" for Alzheimer's drug development.

The world of Alzheimer’s treatments is at an inflection point as more potential drugs make their way out of clinical trials. And on the heels of newly FDA-approved drugs Aduhelm® (aducanumab) in 2021 and Leqembi® (lecanemab) in 2023, a UNLV researcher says that 2024 is a “learning year” for Alzheimer’s drug development.

Most ARIA cases are mild, but some have been fatal

Recently approved disease-modifying treatments for Alzheimer's disease have created a sudden demand, but these and other drugs in the pipeline are not for all patients with clinical Alzheimer's symptoms, experts said.