Neurodegenerative Diseases April 11, 2026
2024-2025 Advances in Neurodegenerative Diseases: Alzheimer, Parkinson, ALS
Lecanemab, Donanemab, gene therapy, alpha-synuclein vaccines, and serum biomarkers: latest advances in neurodegenerative diseases.
2024-2025 Advances in Neurodegenerative Diseases
Alzheimer's Disease
- Lecanemab (Leqembi): FDA full approval — 27% slowing of cognitive decline (CLARITY AD, NEJM 2023)
- Donanemab (Kisunla): FDA approved July 2024 — 35% slowing (TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2, JAMA 2023)
- Blood biomarkers: p-tau217 — 95%+ accuracy for Alzheimer diagnosis from blood test
Parkinson's Disease
- Prasinezumab: Anti-alpha-synuclein antibody — 35% motor progression slowing
- Lixisenatide: GLP-1 agonist slowed motor progression (LIXIPARK, NEJM 2024)
- Gene therapy: GBA1, LRRK2 targeted approaches in phase 2
ALS Updates
- Tofersen: First gene-targeted ALS therapy for SOD1 mutations
- Relyvrio: Phase 3 PHOENIX trial failed, drug withdrawn
- Masitinib: Anti-neuroinflammation — positive trend in phase 3
Common Themes
Presymptomatic treatment, blood biomarker revolution, gene therapy for monogenic diseases, neuroinflammation as common target, and drug repurposing (GLP-1 agonists, BTK inhibitors).