![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NJFNP6NLABDSLNZKG4MFDM5XNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cd086c71704fb54e0d3f2814b9fa8d310a78dafb941d9a0d11ab7b6dd0cb2137&width=400&height=225)
A view of the Biogen Inc. headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. EPA
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The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an accelerated approval for the experimental drug Aduhelm for use in patients with early onset Alzheimer's disease. EPA /DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q523ILOGUUA5MM73UP3R3RCEO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a581b9ce0d61d863b9df93b84d851fa261c3be180adf3f43e8f878f5eddbf94&width=400&height=225)
Some trials have shown the drug slows the progress of the disease. EPA / DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOABJ3ENEEEKW3FVLBIDJ3W34U.jpg?smart=true&auth=968af0d0945852c31af69ae83a3b7f780e9fa63b73c9e8343c542ffe64551803&width=400&height=225)
More than 40 million people suffer from Alzheimer's Disease worldwide, and there has been no new treatment for 20 years. EPA / DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVYMSPJ6CJDUISRFCFNEPCHE6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=897e215744fce3441fad5ddfe905a14818b61eb0415b4c35e466b269e2ed272e&width=400&height=225)
Music therapist Heather Davidson (L) plays a drum with Claire Diering (R) during a drum circle with patients with Alzheimer's disease at the Copper Ridge Care Centre in Sykesville, Maryland. AFP / Saul LOEB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FW6XUCACRPHONXYQL47BJYIMYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=553dc4eddf774a265b2be1b5f996ec99120ab4012df6e410680978863e058965&width=400&height=225)
Vials of the medication aducanumab are handled by machines during manufacturing in Switzerland. Biogen via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NJFNP6NLABDSLNZKG4MFDM5XNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cd086c71704fb54e0d3f2814b9fa8d310a78dafb941d9a0d11ab7b6dd0cb2137&width=400&height=225)
A view of the Biogen Inc. headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/SZSBVZWR7GERGWA3CSYV34RKEI.jpg?smart=true&auth=fa24c75bd0bc7a2f22efefa63d64b4deeb28d8677c27c6b5d84af40f0e8b0272&width=400&height=225)
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an accelerated approval for the experimental drug Aduhelm for use in patients with early onset Alzheimer's disease. EPA /DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/Q523ILOGUUA5MM73UP3R3RCEO4.jpg?smart=true&auth=5a581b9ce0d61d863b9df93b84d851fa261c3be180adf3f43e8f878f5eddbf94&width=400&height=225)
Some trials have shown the drug slows the progress of the disease. EPA / DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GOABJ3ENEEEKW3FVLBIDJ3W34U.jpg?smart=true&auth=968af0d0945852c31af69ae83a3b7f780e9fa63b73c9e8343c542ffe64551803&width=400&height=225)
More than 40 million people suffer from Alzheimer's Disease worldwide, and there has been no new treatment for 20 years. EPA / DAVID A. WHITE
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OVYMSPJ6CJDUISRFCFNEPCHE6Q.jpg?smart=true&auth=897e215744fce3441fad5ddfe905a14818b61eb0415b4c35e466b269e2ed272e&width=400&height=225)
Music therapist Heather Davidson (L) plays a drum with Claire Diering (R) during a drum circle with patients with Alzheimer's disease at the Copper Ridge Care Centre in Sykesville, Maryland. AFP / Saul LOEB
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/FW6XUCACRPHONXYQL47BJYIMYI.jpg?smart=true&auth=553dc4eddf774a265b2be1b5f996ec99120ab4012df6e410680978863e058965&width=400&height=225)
Vials of the medication aducanumab are handled by machines during manufacturing in Switzerland. Biogen via AP
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NJFNP6NLABDSLNZKG4MFDM5XNY.jpg?smart=true&auth=cd086c71704fb54e0d3f2814b9fa8d310a78dafb941d9a0d11ab7b6dd0cb2137&width=400&height=225)
A view of the Biogen Inc. headquarters in Cambridge, Massachusetts, US. EPA
What does the first Alzheimer’s drug to be approved in 20 years mean for those who have been diagnosed?
Aduhelm slows the disease's progress, but there are questions over its efficacy - and its $50,000 price tag
![Daniel Bardsley](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F4dcffed7-67d1-4c6f-b468-84a82d1ddd22.png?smart=true&auth=e4d7a6e3c76d7ec922e25339bc18538c62bc925936c2316006dc89b8a7becdc6&width=70&height=70)
Daniel Bardsley
09 June, 2021
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