James Nelson, 79, Holds Off Alzheimer's Decline for 18 Months on Leqembi
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
James Nelson, 79, Holds Off Alzheimer's Decline for 18 Months on Leqembi
1 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · Jul 17
Summary
Eighteen months after starting Leqembi, James Nelson, 79, has shown virtually no decline from early Alzheimer's and has cut infusions from every other week to once a month.
Diagnosed in 2024 with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's, Nelson qualified because doctors caught the disease early; his daughter said he has had no noticeable side effects.
Nelson still drives, helps care for his grandchildren, works with Seniors Helping Seniors and attends church, easing the caregiving burden his family had expected to take on.
Doctors say such drugs usually slow rather than stop decline, and they work only for some patients in the earliest stages, leaving many diagnosed too late to qualify.
Across the US, 27% of the 63 million caregivers support someone with Alzheimer's, dementia or another memory impairment, underscoring why earlier detection and support matter.
New Alzheimer's drugs offer hope, but can the average family actually afford this life-changing treatment?
Alzheimer's drugs can slow decline, but are the potentially fatal risks like brain swelling worth the reward?
Leqembi in Early Alzheimer’s: Real-World Adherence, Patient Selection, Safety Controversies, and the Future of Access and Cost
Overview
Leqembi (lecanemab) marks a major step forward in early Alzheimer's treatment, but its real-world use is challenging due to biweekly infusions, ongoing monitoring, and the risk of side effects. These factors initially raised concerns about whether patients could stick with the demanding regimen. However, as healthcare teams gain experience and clinical workflows improve, these barriers are easing, and patient adherence is better than expected. This progress shows that, despite practical and medical hurdles, both patients and providers are adapting, making Leqembi a more feasible option in everyday clinical practice.