A new drug against Alzheimer’s: research desperately needed for more progress

It is an exciting time in dementia research because this first drug – Leqembi (Lecanemab) – against Alzheimer’s disease has just been approved in Europe. It is a start; The Health Care Institute has not yet confirmed whether it will be reimbursed and to whom. “The first approval is an important step forward,” says neurologist Jort Vijverberg from the Amsterdam Alzheimer Center, Amsterdam UMC. “We are now where we were twenty years ago with cancer medicine. At that time, the first drugs for certain types of cancer came on the market. These weren’t exactly the best medicines, but people quickly learned more and more about them. This has allowed better and better medicines to be developed. “

Vijverberg thinks and hopes it will work the same way when it comes to Alzheimer’s. “Until now we have been able to reduce complaints, but with medicines like Leqembi we can intervene in the disease. Research shows that patients decline a bit faster – around six months. However, it is not suitable for everyone and it is especially for patients in the early stages of the disease. If this medicine shows anything, it is research that pays off. And especially now, scientific research is still important. Hopefully in the future we will know more about the disease and more and better medicines will be available.”

Partners wanted

In order to do good research and gain more knowledge about the disease and the medicines, not only researchers are needed, but also people. “Research is really done together,” explains Marissa Zwan, a neuroscientist at the Amsterdam Alzheimer Center. “Through the online platform Hersenonderzoek.nl we are looking for partners for all kinds of research on brain diseases. Solving Alzheimer’s disease and drug development happen side by side. We cannot wait to develop until we have put all the pieces of the disease puzzle together; it goes hand in hand.”

People with Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive impairment (MCI) can contribute to solving the puzzle in different ways. “Once they’ve registered, they can be invited for relevant research,” Zwan explains. “It’s different from filling out a questionnaire or putting in a family tree to physically participating. The latter happens on the spot, but you can also distinguish the bed from the home. For example, we also benefit greatly from people expressing what they consider important now that they have received a diagnosis. Everything helps us gain more insight and take action.”

lack of money and hands

The growing number of patients will have a major impact on healthcare, Vijverberg points out. “Soon we will be able to deal with staffing, costs and space to accommodate people, as long as necessary. We want to keep people in the environment they know as long as possible, but at a certain point that is no longer possible. That is why we now want to accelerate scientific research.”

There is hope. “We are making progress through scientific research and discovering more and more about Alzheimer’s disease,” concluded Zwan. “And patients in particular can contribute to this by taking part in research. Overall, together we can ensure that we can delay the disease in the future or even slow down or stop the disease process.”

What is dementia?

In the Netherlands, about 300,000 people have dementia. Dementia is a general name for more than fifty brain diseases. Dementia develops slowly and progresses; someone with dementia continues to get worse. Symptoms of depression include forgetfulness, restlessness and changes in behavior and character. Alzheimer’s disease is the best known and most common form of dementia; Up to 70 percent of people with dementia have Alzheimer’s.

People with cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer’s disease are currently in great need for various studies in the Netherlands. Anyone who has such a certificate can register at Hersenonderzoek.nl/alzheimer. Registration is free and participation is without obligation – even after registration. You will be informed about the studies in which you can take part and then you will decide for each study whether you want to take part. Another brain disease or no diagnosis at all? You can also participate in brain research. For more information, see Hersenonderzoek.nl.