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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Politics
Hannah Devlin Science correspondent

Success of experimental Alzheimer’s drug hailed as ‘historic moment’

A scientist holding a vial in a laboratory with brain images in the background
It is the first phase 3 trial to unambiguously slow cognitive decline in people with early Alzheimer’s. Photograph: Tek Image//Science Photo Library/Getty Images

An experimental drug has slowed the rate of decline in memory and thinking in people with early Alzheimer’s disease in what is being described as a “historic moment” for dementia treatment.

The cognition of Alzheimer’s patients given the drug, developed by Eisai and Biogen, declined by 27% less than those on a placebo treatment after 18 months. This is a modest change in clinical outcome but it is the first time any drug has been clearly shown to alter the disease’s trajectory.

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