BONITA SPRING, FL, January 10, 2023 —  Memory Treatment Centers are pleased to announce that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Lecanemab, a new drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. This is an important milestone in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, a progressive brain disorder that causes memory loss, communication difficulties, and behavioral changes.

“The accelerated approval of Leqembi signifies a historical step in the treatment of a disease that has altered the lives of millions of Americans and their loved ones,” explained Dr. Jamie Plante of Memory Treatment Centers of Bonita Springs. “We now have clinical trial data that demonstrates Leqembi can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease”

Lecanemab is designed to reduce the production of amyloid beta, a protein that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and is thought to play a role in the development of the disease. By reducing the production of amyloid beta, the thesis is that Lecanemab will help to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and improve symptoms in patients.

“Through decades of Alzheimer’s research we have learned that amyloid beta plaques are an early hallmark feature of the disease and play a large role in the propagation of brain cell death, cognitive impairment and loss of memory” stated Dr. Samuel Giles of Memory Treatment Centers of Jacksonville.

“Leqembi has demonstrated the ability to successfully remove amyloid beta plaques which slows the progression of memory loss. We saw a similar ability to remove the amyloid plaques with Aduhelm, but now finally have indisputable evidence that the removal of these plaques clearly results in a slowing of the cognitive decline.”

This approval is based on the results of clinical trials that showed Lecanemab to be safe and effective at reducing amyloid beta production and improving cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer’s. The drug will be available by prescription, and we are excited to work with our patients to determine if it is an appropriate treatment option for them.

“Early intervention and treatment is very important with Alzheimer’s disease, and when using Leqembi. This is a tool to help prevent the progression of memory loss from Alzheimers, and cannot be given to those with more severe memory impairment.” added Dr. Donald McCarren of Memory Treatment Center of Bonita Springs.

“We already have numerous current Alzheimer’s Disease patients at Memory Treatment Centers who will be treated with this groundbreaking therapy and are hopeful that we will be able to serve and treat countless more with this efficacious treatment” concluded Dr. Robert Mannel of Jacksonville.

Memory Treatment Centers are committed to finding and utilizing new and innovative treatments for Alzheimer’s and other neurological conditions, and we are pleased to have Lecanemab as a new tool in our arsenal. We encourage patients and their families to contact a Memory Treatment Center provider about the potential benefits of Lecanemab and other treatment options.

If you are a patient and have further questions about treatment opportunities, please contact our Bonita Springs or Jacksonville clinics.