The fight against Alzheimer's has received a new boost. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has approved the use of Leqembi, an innovative medication aimed at combating cognitive decline in the early stages of the disease. This approval reverses the decision made in July, when the drug was initially rejected due to concerns about potential severe side effects, such as brain hemorrhages. While the EMA approval is restricted, it represents an important step forward in the search for effective therapies against Alzheimer's, offering a therapeutic alternative that could make a difference in the early stages of the disease.
Leqembi is indicated for patients who have not yet reached advanced stages of Alzheimer's, specifically those experiencing mild cognitive difficulties, such as memory problems and thinking issues, as well as cases of mild dementia. The approval is limited to a specific group of patients with a lower risk of serious complications, highlighting the need for careful evaluation before administration.
Already available in markets such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and China, Leqembi marks a significant advancement in medicine and offers new hope for patients and their families in Europe. Administered intravenously, the medication opens a window of opportunity for early Alzheimer's treatment, one of the world's greatest public health challenges. The drug works by reducing amyloid plaques in the brain, one of the main causes of nerve cell destruction associated with Alzheimer's. These protein deposits impair brain functions, and Leqembi's ability to reduce them has shown promising results in clinical trials. For the EMA, the re-evaluation of the drug was driven by evidence that, for a specific group of patients, the benefits outweigh the risks.
(By Rafael Langa)
