Marisa Wexler, MS,  senior science writer—

Among people with a genetic form of Alzheimer’s disease, those with more formal education tend to be older at disease onset, a new study suggests. Data indicate that the protective effects of education are particularly pronounced among patients with the highest genetic risk of Alzheimer’s, which suggests that “programs to…

Enrollment is complete and testing underway in a Phase 1b/2 clinical trial of Vaccinex’s experimental therapy pepinemab, which aims to slow disease progression in people with mild Alzheimer’s. One year of treatment for the 50 adults in the U.S. trial — called SIGNAL-AD (NCT04381468) and ongoing at…

Eli Lilly’s anti-amyloid therapy donanemab significantly slowed cognitive decline for most people with early Alzheimer’s disease in the Phase 3 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 clinical trial. The benefits were more pronounced among patients younger than 75 years and among those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) relative to those with early…

On-demand treatment with BXCL501, an orally dissolving film formulation of dexmedetomidine, significantly eased episodes of agitation among Alzheimer’s disease patients in a Phase 3 clinical trial, according to topline results announced by the therapy’s developer, BioXcel Therapeutics. “We believe these results represent a significant milestone for BioXcel Therapeutics…

In the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, even before cognitive symptoms have become apparent, there are detectable changes in the makeup of bacteria in the gut, a study shows. The finding suggests that analyses of gut bacteria may help identify early Alzheimer’s, according to researchers. “By the time…

A blood test that checks for the abnormal activation of star-shaped cells in the brain called astrocytes may be able to identify people who are more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease, a new study suggests. “Our study argues that testing for the presence of brain amyloid along with blood…

Eisai and Biogen are seeking approval in Canada and the U.K. for lecanemab to treat early Alzheimer’s disease. It’s available under the name Leqembi in the U.S. Health Canada has accepted the application for review, while the U.K.’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)…

Donanemab significantly slowed the decline of cognitive and functional abilities in people with early Alzheimer’s disease, according to top-line data from a Phase 3 clinical trial. Based on these findings, Eli Lilly, its developer, plans to ask the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve it within the…

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Rexulti (brexpiprazole) to treat agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. With this approval, Rexulti has now become the first and only therapy ever approved for this specific indication in the U.S. “Today marks a major milestone for…

Eli Lilly’s donanemab was found to work better than Aduhelm (aducanumab) in a biomarker study of people with early Alzheimer’s in removing disease-associated toxic protein clumps in the brain. The experimental therapy outperformed the approved treatment, from Eisai and Biogen, in a Phase 3 clinical trial, according…