In the fight against dementia, this will be a ‘transformational decade’

Last week, Health Canada gave the green light to a long-awaited drug that slows the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s disease.

Lecanemab is the first approved medication that targets the buildup of amyloid plaque in the brain, believed to be an underlying cause of Alzheimer's.

For patients and their loved ones across the country, the approval could not have come fast enough. According to the Alzheimer’s Society of Canada, there are close to 800,000 people in the country living with some form of dementia right now — a number that’s expected to hit 1 million by 2030.

Dr. Howard Chertkow is a senior scientist at the Baycrest Academy for Research and Education, and one of Canada’s leading experts on dementia. He joins us on tonight’s Closer Look to discuss the new drug — but also why he believes this could be a “turnaround decade” in the treatment, prevention and early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.

Hosted by Village Media’s Michael Friscolanti and Scott Sexsmith, and produced by Derek Turner, Closer Look is a new daily podcast that goes way beyond the headlines with insightful, in-depth conversations featuring our reporters and editors, leading experts, key stakeholders and big newsmakers.

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