$40,000 amyloid-targeting drugs for Alzheimer’s do not work, controversial Cochrane review finds
The reviewers say other treatments should be prioritised for research, but Australian neuroscientists disagree.
The Cochrane Collaboration has written the next chapter in the controversial history of amyloid-targeting drugs for Alzheimer’s disease by declaring that their effect on cognitive decline is trivial.
But several Australian neuroscientists are unconvinced that this marks the final chapter for the monoclonal antibodies — two of which are TGA-approved and cost $40,000 a year or more.
The Cochrane review and meta-analysis involved 17 trials with 20,342 total participants who had mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
It found similar cognitive changes after 18-24 months regardless of whether patients were given treatment or placebo based on the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale.
