Alzheimer’s bombshell as top scientists conclude - ‘the drugs don’t work’

Alzheimer’s bombshell as top scientists conclude - ‘the drugs don’t work’Alzheimer’s drugs which pharmaceutical firms hoped could revolutionise dementia treatment ‘likely have no clinically meaningful benefit’, review findsCommentsNewsMartin Bagot Health and Science Editor01:00, 16 Apr 2026View 3 ImagesDementia research blow as scientists conclude some Alzheimer's drugs may have no clinical benefit(Image: Getty Images)A new generation of Alzheimer’s drugs “likely have no clinically meaningful benefit", according to a gold-standard review.‌It suggests billions of pounds globally may have been wasted in researching the so-called amyloid hypothesis - which assumed that reducing the build-up of the key protein in the brain could halt the progression of dementia.‌There had been huge hope among dementia patients and experts after pharmaceutical firms posted data from clinical trials claiming that two groundbreaking drugs, known as monoclonal antibodies, were the first to slow the degeneration seen in dementia patients. Until then drugs could only mask or lessen symptoms.‌READ MORE: Dementia expert describes 'red flag' memory problems you should really worry aboutREAD MORE: Over 100 new dementia drugs could be 'start of cure' as experts hail breakthroughView 3 ImagesScientists thought they had finally discovered a treatment pathway which could halt the progression of the disease after decades of failures (stock)(Image: Getty Images/Image Source)But now a Cochrane Review of 17 studies including 20,000 dementia patients on the first seven amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibodies said there appears to be no link between clearing amyloid from the brain - and benefit in thinking skills that patients or carers would actually notice.Author Dr Francesco Nonino, neurologist at the IRCCS Institute of Neurological Sciences of Bologna in Italy, said: “Unfortunately, the evidence suggests that these drugs make no meaningful difference to patients. There is...