Summary
Trials of the drug Solanezumab were abandoned in apparent failure in 2012. More detailed examination of the data has since revealed evidence that this medication may have a role in slowing the pace of progression in Alzheimer’s Disease slightly, at least in the earliest stages of the disease.
Alzheimer’s Disease remains incurable, currently, but it has been estimated by Alzheimer’s Research UK (ARUK) that being able to delay the onset of dementia by five years could reduce the number of cases by one-third and relieve the economic costs of dementia by over £21 billion (36%) by 2050.
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2015). Early signs that drug ‘may delay Alzheimer’s decline’. London: BBC Health News, July 22nd 2015.
Also:
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2015). The drug to slow Alzheimer’s? London: BBC Health News, July 22nd 2015.
This topic was featured in a review of significant developments during the year 2016:
Reference
Gallagher, J. (2015). Breakthroughs galore: a transformative year in medicine. London: BBC Health News, December 28th 2015.