© Fotolia

Therapy designed to preserve mental capacity for longer and slow down progression of the disease now available at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg.

More than 1.8 million people in Germany live with dementia, about two-thirds of whom have Alzheimer's disease. Since the beginning of September 2025, a new therapy has been available at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg in the form of the drug Lecanemab, which can slow the progression of the disease in its early stages. “This therapy is an important step in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease because it allows us to intervene directly in a central disease process for the first time – which opens up new perspectives in the treatment of Alzheimer's,” says Prof. Dr. Jonas Hosp, senior physician at the Department of Neurology and Neuroscience at the Medical Center - University of Freiburg. “Early detection of the disease is crucial – the earlier we treat it, the more of a healthy life we can gain.”

Targeted therapy for early-stage disease

The new treatment option is aimed at patients who have been diagnosed with the first symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. It targets specific protein deposits in the brain, known as amyloid plaques. These are considered to be the trigger for the disease process that leads to a decline in mental performance. The drug helps dissolve the deposits, thereby slowing the progression of the disease. A recent study showed that the treatment slowed the progression of cognitive impairment by an average of about 27 percent. 

Close monitoring required

An accurate diagnosis is crucial for the success of the therapy. At the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, this is achieved by using modern imaging and biomarker analysis. Lecanemab is administered as an infusion therapy every two weeks over a period of one and a half years. At the Medical Center - University of Freiburg, the treatment is provided on an out-patient basis. Hospitalization is not necessary. Regular check-ups are carried out during the therapy. Modern imaging techniques can be used to detect the occurrence of possible side effects such as local inflammation or minor bleeding, as well as changes in the brain at an early stage.

“The new therapy does not replace existing treatment approaches, but rather complements them in a meaningful way. Cognitive training, social support, and physical activity will remain central components of any Alzheimer's therapy in the future,” Prof. Hosp states.