Today saw the news that Eli Lilly's Alzheimer disease drug donanemab has had promising results in a recent trial. Our team at Brain Health Scotland has released the statement below in response to this news:
"This is very positive news and provides more long-awaited cause for optimism for all of those affected by Alzheimer's disease.
"It is particularly exciting that in addition to removing the amyloid protein that is recognised as a hallmark of this disease, the treatment led to a slower decline in the ability to function on a daily basis. We know that for people and families affected by dementia, protecting activities such as managing finances, driving, and engaging in hobbies and conversation, is critically important. We eagerly anticipate the release of the full results in July, when the scientific community can collaboratively discuss the data and a fuller picture will emerge.
"Whilst the top line figures offer hope of living well with the disease for longer, there remains concerns about both side effects of treatment and the practicality of offering these treatments in current health services. Our health services are under extreme pressure and are not yet set up to provide the early assessment and intervention tools on which these treatments will rely. In order to effectively deliver these medications to the right people at the right time, we need to revolutionise our health services now - and work is already underway in Scotland to do this.
"We would like to recognise and thank everyone who has contributed to taking part in dementia research in Scotland and around the world, without whom progress in finding new treatments and news like today's would not be possible." - Anna Borthwick, Executive Lead for Brain Health
You can read more about the trial results here.