“A Significant Step Forward” in Slowing Alzheimer’s Disease
On November 2, 2023, in conjunction with National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month, Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health administered its first infusion of the anti-amyloid drug lecanemab (LEQEMBI®) for the treatment of mild Alzheimer’s disease.
The recipient was Dan Harrington, 64, who moved to Las Vegas from Southern California six years ago specifically to receive care at the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health. Dan was the first to receive the drug in Las Vegas in a clinical setting following lecanemab’s July approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. He and his wife, Andrea, are grateful for the opportunity to try this new treatment.
New hope for patients and families
“Since I started in this field 20 years ago, patients and their families have often said, ‘If this is Alzheimer’s, you can’t even slow it down, right?’ Today I can say, ‘Wrong. Now, there’s a treatment for this disease that is different from anything previously available,’” says Dylan Wint, MD, director of the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health.
“This drug won’t solve the dementia crisis but it represents a significant step forward, slowing progression of Alzheimer’s disease and delaying some of its devastating symptoms versus simply managing current symptoms,” Dr. Wint adds.
“We’re really excited about this,” says Andrea Harrington. “If it slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by a few months, then we can continue to make memories, enjoy what we have and do what we can for a few more months. We’re really grateful.”
She continues, “There’s so much hope. If sharing our experience can help somebody else and let them know that there is hope, that’s what we’ll do.” 
Learn more about treatments for Alzheimer’s disease:
clevelandclinic.org/NevadaCognitive