The bigger picture

Around six in every 10 people with dementia are affected by Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia in the UK. The exact cause is not yet fully understood, although a number of factors are thought to increase a person’s risk, including family history, untreated depression and conditions associated with cardiovascular disease. 

Although this is a significant discovery, it is thought that it will be a long time before lecanemab is available on the NHS. “We await clarity for how and when the approval process will take place in the UK, and whether regulators believe it is cost-effective,” said Dr Richard Oakley of the Alzheimer’s Society.

In addition, the drug can only be given to those with early onset Alzheimer’s who have amyloid in their brain. People in the later stages of the disease or with other types of dementia are thought not to be able to benefit from this treatment.