Alzheimer's drug Leqembi has this week been given approval by the US Food and Drug Administration, but some researchers warn that its impact is limited.
The drug, which was found in clinical trials to slow the progression of the disease in 27 per cent of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, could also be rolled out to other parts of the world.
Also known as Lecanemab, it is the second major drug to have emerged to treat Alzheimer’s after Aduhelm, or Aducanumab, was given the green light by the FDA just over two years ago.
Aducanumab’s approval in the US was highly disputed and raised concerns from some scientists that data from clinical trials failed to show convincing evidence of the drug’s effectiveness. European regulators did not give the go-ahead for the drug to be used.
With Leqembi, researchers say there is a clearer indication that treatment really can remove the fatty deposits, called beta-amyloid plaques, that build up in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients.
“I think this [approval] is really good news for people who are at risk or who feel at risk,” said Prof Paul Matthews, head of the Department of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London and an associate director of the UK Dementia Research Institute.
With Leqembi there is clearer evidence than with Aduhelm that treatment slows the rate at which people with Alzheimer’s disease lose their ability to think well, according to Prof Matthews.
How they work
Both Leqembi and Aduhelm contain antibodies that bind to the beta-amyloid material that builds up, but they attach in different ways and this could be why, Prof Matthews said, there is a difference in their ability to pull beta-amyloid out of the brain or to interfere with its effect on the brain.
“[Leqembi/Lecanameb] is the first drug that gives us real confidence that we cannot just slow the progression of the changes in the brain, but we can slow them to good effect for people’s health and thinking,” he added.
Leqembi, which like Aduhelm has been launched by the drug companies Eisai and Biogen, received what is called standard approval from the FDA, the news agency Reuters reported this week, following more restricted “accelerated” approval early this year.
However, in giving wider approval, the regulator warned that Leqembi increases the risk of brain swelling and bleeding, which in extreme cases can prove fatal.
"These side effects are being studied extensively by our group and we conclude that they are due to a failure of clearance of Abeta [amyloid beta]," said Prof Roxi Carare, who researches methods to diagnose and treat dementia at the University of Southampton in the UK.
"By solubilising more Abeta after treatment, it blocks the drainage pathways [that are] already compromised."
There is no evidence from the clinical trials that Leqembi can cause actual improvements in patients or stop the disease from progressing. Instead, the results suggest that in some patients Leqembi may slow deterioration.
What is Alzheimer's disease?
About two-thirds of dementia cases are caused by Alzheimer’s disease, which is associated with a loss of connection between the brain’s neurons or nerve cells.
People with the condition may experience memory loss, altered behaviour and speech problems, among other things, although symptoms typically emerge only after many years of unrecognised changes in the brain.
Not all dementia researchers are convinced that Leqembi represents a significant step forward. Rob Howard, professor of old age psychiatry at University College London, said that the drug’s impact was limited.
“The treatment differences are tiny – about half of what other people would accept – probably not what you would regard as clinically noticeable or effective,” he said.
“My argument, as someone who looks after people with dementia, is what I want are drugs that are clinically effective and part of that is that they have an effect big enough to see, and they’re safe to take. The problem is it doesn’t have enough of an effect to see an effect in individual patients.”
In the UK, he said, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, which determines which drugs are effective and offer value for money, may well decide that Leqembi does not offer sufficient benefits for its cost, which in the US is reported to be $26,500 per patient annually.
Also in the UK, Dr Ivan Koychev, a senior clinical researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Oxford, said that the drug would require “the complete overhaul” of memory clinics. This would be needed to allow the drug to be given intravenously, to facilitate genetic testing to identify those most at risk of side effects and to give regular MRI scans to check for these side effects.
While he said that people who raised concerns were right that the results “were not particularly impressive for the patients themselves”, the drug raised the prospect of increased investment that could lead to better treatments.
The beta-amyloid is known to build up in the brain of individuals who develop Alzheimer’s disease for up to two decades or more before symptoms start to show.
This suggests, Dr Koychev said, that if the drug were to be given to people much earlier, before symptoms developed, it may have more of an effect.
“It may be that’s when you get the real benefit,” he said. “That’s yet to be proven. It may be that’s not how it works.”
Such preventive efforts would require the early identification of individuals who are likely to go on to develop symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
Prof Matthews said that considerable efforts were being made to improve such early recognition. Ultimately, he suggested, GPs might be able to carry out additional blood tests on people when they go for a check up to highlight those who may benefit from pre-emptive treatment.
“This would identify those who should be followed up, who may be developing this early preclinical disease,” he said.
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick
A list of the animal rescue organisations in the UAE
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EVarious%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EHenry%20Cavill%2C%20Freya%20Allan%2C%20Anya%20Chalotra%3Cstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl
Power: 153hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 200Nm at 4,000rpm
Transmission: 6-speed auto
Price: Dh99,000
On sale: now
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
Torque: 175Nm
Price: From Dh98,800
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Scoreline
Syria 1-1 Australia
Syria Al Somah 85'
Australia Kruse 40'
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
What can victims do?
Always use only regulated platforms
Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion
Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)
Report to local authorities
Warn others to prevent further harm
Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
TCL INFO
Teams:
Punjabi Legends Owners: Inzamam-ul-Haq and Intizar-ul-Haq; Key player: Misbah-ul-Haq
Pakhtoons Owners: Habib Khan and Tajuddin Khan; Key player: Shahid Afridi
Maratha Arabians Owners: Sohail Khan, Ali Tumbi, Parvez Khan; Key player: Virender Sehwag
Bangla Tigers Owners: Shirajuddin Alam, Yasin Choudhary, Neelesh Bhatnager, Anis and Rizwan Sajan; Key player: TBC
Colombo Lions Owners: Sri Lanka Cricket; Key player: TBC
Kerala Kings Owners: Hussain Adam Ali and Shafi Ul Mulk; Key player: Eoin Morgan
Venue Sharjah Cricket Stadium
Format 10 overs per side, matches last for 90 minutes
When December 14-17
hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
ASHES SCHEDULE
First Test
November 23-27 (The Gabba, Brisbane)
Second Test
December 2-6 (Adelaide Oval, Adelaide)
Third Test
December 14-18 (Waca Ground, Perth)
Fourth Test
December 26-30 (Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne)
Fifth Test
January 4-8, 2018 (Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney)
Dhadak 2
Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
FIXTURES
Saturday
5.30pm: Shabab Al Ahli v Al Wahda
5.30pm: Khorfakkan v Baniyas
8.15pm: Hatta v Ajman
8.15pm: Sharjah v Al Ain
Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
8.15pm: Al Nasr v Al Wasl
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Company name: BorrowMe (BorrowMe.com)
Date started: August 2021
Founder: Nour Sabri
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: E-commerce / Marketplace
Size: Two employees
Funding stage: Seed investment
Initial investment: $200,000
Investors: Amr Manaa (director, PwC Middle East)
SUE%20GRAY'S%20FINDINGS
%3Cp%3E%22Whatever%20the%20initial%20intent%2C%20what%20took%20place%20at%20many%20of%20these%20gatherings%20and%20the%3Cbr%3Eway%20in%20which%20they%20developed%20was%20not%20in%20line%20with%20Covid%20guidance%20at%20the%20time.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22Many%20of%20these%20events%20should%20not%20have%20been%20allowed%20to%20happen.%20It%20is%20also%20the%20case%20that%20some%20of%20the%3Cbr%3Emore%20junior%20civil%20servants%20believed%20that%20their%20involvement%20in%20some%20of%20these%20events%20was%20permitted%20given%20the%20attendance%20of%20senior%20leaders.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22The%20senior%20leadership%20at%20the%20centre%2C%20both%20political%20and%20official%2C%20must%20bear%20responsibility%20for%20this%20culture.%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20found%20that%20some%20staff%20had%20witnessed%20or%20been%20subjected%20to%20behaviours%20at%20work%20which%20they%20had%20felt%20concerned%20about%20but%20at%20times%20felt%20unable%20to%20raise%20properly.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%22I%20was%20made%20aware%20of%20multiple%20examples%20of%20a%20lack%20of%20respect%20and%20poor%20treatment%20of%20security%20and%20cleaning%20staff.%20This%20was%20unacceptable.%22%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Read more about the coronavirus
MATCH INFO
Leeds United 0
Brighton 1 (Maupay 17')
Man of the match: Ben White (Brighton)
How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE
When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
- Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
- Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
- Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
- Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
- Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
- The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
- Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269
*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
