On January 6th, 2023 the FDA granted accelerated approval for Lecanemab (Leqembi) which is the second FDA approved therapy for Alzheimer’s disease that specifically targets protofibrils which cluster together and form the protein plaque beta-amyloid 42.

This protein is involved in the pathology of Alzheimer’s disease by forming plaques which lead to memory loss and brain cell death. The approval of Lecanemab has now allowed healthcare providers like neurologists and neurocognitive specialists, to become proactive in treating and preventing the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.

Lecanemab targets beta-amyloid 42 protein (specifically protofibrils – which are smaller proteins that bind together and form the plaques) and removes these from your brain.

Studies have shown that these protein plaques are one of the hallmark processes that occur early-on in Alzheimer’s disease and their presence plays a pivotal role in Alzheimer’s dementia. By removing these plaques, clinical trials have shown that Lecanemab slows progression of the disease by an average of 27% (some patients had even greater benefit).