A major clinical trial of an antibody treatment may soon pave the way for improved treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.

Singapore's National University Hospital (NUH) is involved in a multicentre trial exclusive to South-east Asia,demonstrating the efficacy of drug lecanemab in slowing cognitive and functional decline in patients aged 50 to 90 with early Alzheimer’s disease.

Lecanemab, a monoclonal antibody that interferes with the formation of amyloid plaques that are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease, showed promise in slowing the progression of the disease. Research is led by Clarity AD and currently is in phase 3.

During the clinical trials, researchers assessed participants’ cognitive and functional performance in six areas – memory, orientation, judgement and problem solving, community affairs, home and hobbies, and personal care – after interviewing participants and their study partners. 

Lecanemab is pending approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration in January 2023, with decision in the United Kingdom and Europe to follow.