Canada Approves Drug That Slows Alzheimer's by 30%

For families watching a loved one slip away to Alzheimer's, a new breakthrough offers something they've never had before: time.

Health Canada recently approved lecanemab, the first treatment that actually slows down Alzheimer's disease rather than just masking its symptoms. Clinical trials show the therapy reduces cognitive decline by an average of 30 percent, giving patients more months or years of independence and clarity with their families.

"We're shifting from symptom management to targeting the root cause of the disease," says Dr. Sara Mitchell, a neurologist at Sunnybrook's Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program. "This means keeping people cognitively healthy and independent for longer."

The new drug works differently than anything before it. Lecanemab uses specially designed antibodies that attach to and remove amyloid plaques from the brain. These sticky protein clumps are one of the main culprits behind Alzheimer's development. Until now, those plaques could only be seen during an autopsy.

More than one million Canadians will be living with dementia within five years. Alzheimer's is the most common form, gradually stealing memories, problem-solving abilities, and the capacity to do everyday tasks. Current treatments only address symptoms like anxiety or restlessness, doing nothing to slow the disease itself.

The therapy does come with risks. Some patients experience brain inflammation or bleeding, which doctors can monitor through MRI scans. But for many families facing an inevitable decline, the chance to slow that progression represents genuine hope.

Sunnybrook is one of the few Canadian centers offering advanced amyloid PET scans, which can detect these brain plaques in living patients. This technology helps doctors diagnose Alzheimer's accurately and determine who might benefit most from the new treatment.

The Ripple Effect

The impact reaches far beyond the patient. Caregivers, usually family members, provide enormous physical and emotional support as Alzheimer's progresses. They administer medications, manage appointments, assist with bathing and cooking, and endure the heartbreak of watching someone they love forget their shared history.

Slowing the disease means more time before that heavy caregiving begins. It means more conversations, more shared meals, more moments of recognition. For a spouse or adult child, those extra months of independence with their loved one are precious beyond measure.

Dr. Mario Masellis, another Sunnybrook neurologist, emphasizes that patient education will be crucial as these new treatments become available. Families need clear information to make informed decisions about care options.

This approval marks the beginning of a new era in Alzheimer's treatment, one where doctors can finally fight the disease itself instead of just watching it progress.