New Alzheimer's Drugs: Are They a Turning Point?

Available for over a year

For decades there was little or no progress in efforts to treat Alzheimer's Disease. Then two drugs came along in close succession, promising a new way forward for some patients. Lecanemab and donanemab slow down the early stages of the disease - which is the most common form of dementia. The drugs represent a step forward because they target one of the causes of Alzheimer's, rather than treating the symptoms. However, their effectiveness depends on early diagnosis - and very few people have the specialist scans or investigations which would be needed. For 5 Questions On, the BBC's Medical Editor Fergus Walsh has been looking into how the trials are going -- and investigating whether patients may soon get access to these drugs on the NHS.