A new drug called donanemab has shown promising results in slowing down Alzheimer's disease by about a third, according to Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company that developed the drug. This development has led experts to believe that we may soon have drugs available to treat Alzheimer's, which was previously thought to be impossible. However, two volunteers in the clinical trial died due to dangerous swelling in the brain.

Donanemab works similarly to lecanemab, another drug that has been shown to slow down the disease, and has been making headlines worldwide.

Eli Lilly has announced that their drug, donanemab, has been shown to slow the progression of Alzheimer's by about a third. Similar to lecanemab, donanemab is an antibody engineered to clear beta amyloid, a sticky substance that forms plaques in the spaces between brain cells in those with Alzheimer's. However, the drug has come with some complications, as two volunteers have died from dangerous swelling in the brain. Despite this, experts believe that we are on the verge of having Alzheimer's treatments that can modify the disease rather than only provide supportive care. Dr Cath Mummery, the clinical lead for cognitive-disorders clinic at the UK's National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, believes that we can hope to treat and manage Alzheimer's in the long term.

Eli Lilly's drug, donanemab, has shown promising results in slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease by about 29% overall, and by 35% in a group of patients deemed more likely to respond, according to the company. The drug was given to 1,734 people in the early stages of Alzheimer's as a monthly infusion until the brain's distinctive plaques were gone. Those who received the drug retained more of their daily lives, such as discussing current events, driving, or pursuing hobbies. However, brain swelling was a common side effect in up to a third of patients, with 1.6% developing dangerous brain swelling, resulting in two deaths directly attributed to it, and a third volunteer dying after such a case. The full trial details have not been published yet, but experts believe that we are on the verge of being able to treat and maintain someone with Alzheimer's disease with long-term disease management rather than palliative care.

Eli Lilly is optimistic about the clinical benefits of donanemab, though there are associated risks that can be serious and life-threatening, according to Dr Mark Mintun, the group's vice-president of neuroscience research and development. The drug is expected to be approved for use in hospitals in the coming months. However, Dr Liz Coulthard from the University of Bristol emphasized that while the drug may help Alzheimer's patients live better for a longer period of time, there are significant side-effects, and long-term data is lacking.

The success of two drugs in slowing down Alzheimer's disease by targeting amyloid has brought new hope for a first generation of treatments for the disease, after decades of failed attempts. The latest drug, donanemab, developed by Eli Lilly, has been found to slow down Alzheimer's by 29% overall, while the previously proven lecanemab had similar results. Both drugs remove beta-amyloid, which forms plaques between brain cells, a hallmark of Alzheimer's. However, the drugs work only in the earliest stages of the disease, and further research is needed. Even if approved, only a small percentage of people receive a diagnosis for Alzheimer's, making it difficult to identify the people who would benefit from the drugs. The cost of the treatment would also be a concern, with lecanemab priced at over £21,000 per person per year.