Two patients navigate the new Alzheimer's drugs

By Jon Hamilton,

Gisele Grayson, Regina G. Barber, Berly McCoy

Published March 3, 2025 at 9:13 AM EST

Susan Bell plays with a fidget toy at her home as part of her physical therapy on September 16, 2024 in St. Charles, Mo. The toys help provide Susan with cognitive stimulation.

There are now two fully approved drugs on the market that can, sometimes, slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. One is marketed as Leqembi and the other, Kisunla. Both have been shown to slow down the mental decline of Alzheimer's by more than 25%. But that's in a group of patients—an individual may do much better, or not be helped at all.

NPR Science Correspondent Jon Hamilton has been talking to people who've taken these drugs. Today he has the story of two patients to receive them.

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This episode was produced by Berly McCoy, edited and fact checked by Gisele Grayson and also fact checked by Jon Hamilton. The audio engineer was Robert Rodriguez.