Alzheimer's Anti-Amyloid Drugs Ineffective

A major review by the Cochrane has concluded that anti-amyloid drugs, including lecanemab (Leqembi) by Biogen and Eisai, and donanemab (Kisunla) by Eli Lilly and Company, do not meaningfully help Alzheimer's patients. Despite previous approvals by the United States and European Union, and initial statistical significance in trials, the review found no clinically meaningful benefit. This refutes the long-held amyloid hypothesis, suggesting that removing amyloid plaques does not improve patient outcomes. The findings have led to criticism from some experts, including John Hardy (neuroscientist), who developed the amyloid hypothesis, but co-authors Richard Li and Francesco Nonino stand by the results, advocating for new research directions. State-run health services in the United Kingdom and France had already refused to cover these drugs due to concerns about effectiveness, cost, and side effects.