[Baeocystin]

I know two people who have been taking the new monoclonal antibody treatment for it. One who was a bit further along when she started, and did not show any significant improvement. The one who started while she was still in the early stages has completely arrested her descent. She hasn't recovered much of what she already lost, but she's still able to live independently and enjoy life, and her mental acuity scores are (slightly) better than they were last year. That's a hell of a thing.

[ChadNauseam]

I also know someone who's significantly better now than they were a few years ago thanks to alzheimer's medication. And Trontinemab, which is currently in phase III trials I believe, seems even better than what is publicly available as it crosses the blood-brain barrier more readily. We're entering a brighter future for alzheimer's patients.

[ulfw]

How do you know it's completely arrested?

Best these type of drugs can do is give you a few months extra window (say 4-6 months). They're not a cure. Sadly.

[Baeocystin]

Completely arrested? I don't. But it appears to be arrested in ways that matter for mental acuity, for now. I've taken care of a parent with Alzheimer's, and helped several other caregivers over the years with their own family's journeys, and one thing I can tell you is that I have never, ever seen an actual halting of the progression for this long. The descent is usually a stairstep pattern, but the steps are on the matter of weeks to a month or two. My friend has been stable for a year.

This is all new. There is research hinting at Alzheimer's subtypes, some of which are more likely to respond than others. Even halting the decline is a huge potential breakthrough.

[ulfw]

I hope there'll be a cure or something that lasts long. It's a horrible disease. Best of luck!

[DavidSJ]

That's 4–6 months in the 18 months the trials lasted for, i.e. about a 30% slowdown of progression. The open-label extensions suggest this relative slowdown seems to continue at least to the 4-year mark (at which point it would have bought you over a year of time): https://www.alzforum.org/news/conference-coverage/signs-last...

Time will tell if the 30% slowdown continues beyond four years, and/or if earlier treatment with more effective amyloid clearance from newer drugs has greater effects. The science suggests it should.

[matwood]

The way I’ve watched Alzheimer’s work in a family member is that it’s a step down function rather than gradual. And once something is lost, it doesn’t come back. So anything that can delay the next step even just for months is a win right now.

[rowanG077]

They tell you this:

> her mental acuity scores are (slightly) better than they were last year

[maybelsyrup]

Wait what treatment is this?

[aix1]

Probably either lecanemab (older) or donanemab (newer).

[Baeocystin]

In my friend's case, donanemab, FWIW.