Thirty years ago, Drs. Michael Mullan and Fiona Crawford who co-founded the Roskamp Institute with Bob and Diane Roskamp in Manatee County, were members of the team that found the first ever genetic causes of Alzheimer’s Disease. Their identification of genetic errors in the gene for the amyloid protein, which results in its build up in the brain, showed that amyloid could cause Alzheimer’s Disease. Finally, a drug built on that premise, is heading for approval by the FDA. The drug, made by Eisai and called Lecanemab, has been shown to reduce the amount of amyloid in the brain and results in clear benefit for patients, with better retention of memory and other mental functions in the early stages of the disease. Importantly, common daily activities such as socializing, caring for oneself and communicating were all preserved better in those Alzheimer patients taking the drug compared to controls. FDA approval for the drug is expected next year with availability for patients soon after. 

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