UW Medicine was one of the clinical trial sites for aducanumab, a drug approved yesterday by the Food and Drug Administration to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people with mild symptoms. Aducanumab is the first drug approved by the FDA to intervene in the biology of Alzheimer’s disease.

"This is a huge step forward. I mean, this is the first disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer's disease, meaning it actually can change the trajectory of the disease course," said Dr. Charlie Bernick, clinical trials director of UW Medicine's Memory and Brain Wellness Center. 

The monthly intravenous drug removes amyloid plaque, which is associated with Alzheimer’s. However, debate is ongoing about the quality of study evidence and the degree of benefit conferred by aducanumab.

Access downloadable multimedia files with Dr. Charlie Bernick discussing aducanumab.

See also Q&A on the field of Alzheimer's research.