An experimental treatment happens to be the solution to delay Alzheimer's symptoms in some people. These people are the ones who are genetically destined to get the disease in their 40s or 50s. These new findings form ongoing research has now been caught up in Trump administration funding delas. The early results of the study has been published on Wednesday and the participants too are worried that politics could cut their access to a possible lifeline.

One of the participants had said, "It is still a study but it has given me an extension to my life that I never banked on having." The participant is named Jake Henrichs, form New York City, who is 50 years old. He is one of them to be treated in that study for more than a decade now and has remained symptom-free despite inheriting an Alzheimer's-causing gene that had killed his father and brother around the same age.

Slowing Down The Symptoms

Two drugs which can modestly slow down early-stage Alzheimer's are sold in the United States. These drugs clear the brain of one of its hallmarks, a sticky gunk-like part called the amyloid. However, there have not been any hints that removing amyloid far earlier, way many years before the first symptoms appear, may postpone the disease.

How Was The Research Conducted?

The research is led by Washington University in St Louis, which involved families that passed down rare gene mutation as participants. This meant it was almost guaranteed that they will develop symptoms at the same age their affected relatives did.

The new findings is based on a subset of 22 participants who received amyloid-removing drugs the longest, on average eight years. Long-term amyloid removal cut in half their risk of symptom onset. The study is published in the journal Lancet Neurology.

Washington University's Dr Randall Bateman, who directs the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer's Network of studies involving families with these rare genes says, "What we want to determine over the next five years is how strong is the protection. Will they ever get the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease if we keep treating them?”

The researchers before though did not know what exactly caused Alzheimer's which affects nearly 7 million Americans, most of them in their later life. However, it is clear that these silent changes occur in the brain at least two decades before the first symptom shows up. The big contributor. At some point amyloid buildup can trigger a protein named tau that then starts to kill neurons, which can lead to cognitive decline.

Researchers are now thus studying the Tau-fighting drugs and are looking into other factors, like inflammation, brain's immune cells and certain virus.

The National Institute of Health (NIH) has expanded its focus as researchers have found more reasons for Alzheimer's. In 2013, the NIH's National Institute on Aging funded 14 trials of possible Alzheimer's drugs over a third targeting amyloid. By last fall, there were 68 drugs and 18% of them target amyloid. However, there are scientists too who think that amyloid is not everything and their is way more in the brain tissue, immune cells, and more which can be studied.

A French woman infected with the deadly hantavirus outbreak linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship is critically ill and is being treated using an artificial lung.

The woman is among the passengers evacuated from Spain’s Canary Islands. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 11 people have been affected by the rat-borne virus so far, of whom three have died.

A Dutch couple is believed to have been first exposed to the virus while visiting a birdwatching site in Argentina.

The WHO has confirmed that the Andes strain of hantavirus — the only strain known to spread from person to person — is behind the outbreak.

Patient Suffers Severe Lung And Heart Complications

The French passenger, currently hospitalized in Paris, has developed a severe form of the disease that has caused life-threatening lung and heart complications, Dr. Xavier Lescure, an infectious disease specialist at Bichat Hospital, told AP News Agency.

He explained that “the woman is on a life-support device that pumps blood through an artificial lung, providing it with oxygen and returning it to the body. The hope is that the device relieves enough pressure on the lungs and heart to give them some time to recover.”

Lescure described it as “the final stage of supportive care.”

With the evacuation of all passengers and many crew members completed, the MV Hondius is now sailing back to the Netherlands, where it will undergo cleaning and disinfection.

Also read: India Better Prepared For Hantavirus Outbreaks After COVID-19 Experience, Says Dr NK Ganguly | Exclusive

Hantavirus: No Pandemic Potential

Speaking to HealthandMe, Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, and former field epidemiologist in the Indian Armed Forces, said hantavirus does not spread easily from person to person.

Unlike COVID-19, it does not have significant aerosol or pandemic potential. Only certain strains, such as the Andes strain identified in South America, have shown limited person-to-person transmission, usually through very close or intimate contact involving body fluids.

“That is why the husband and wife may both have become infected. Even then, transmission is rare and requires prolonged close exposure. Basic precautions are generally sufficient, and asymptomatic individuals are unlikely to transmit the infection,” he said.

Dr. Amitav added that hantavirus does not have pandemic potential under natural conditions because it spreads poorly between humans and remains largely linked to rodent exposure.

Hantavirus: How to Prevent The Risk

Dr. Jatin Ahuja, Consultant in Infectious Diseases at Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, Delhi, told HealthandMe that the general public has no reason for alarm.

“Hantavirus infections remain rare globally, and awareness about rodent control and early symptom recognition continues to be the most effective approach,” he said.

He recommended simple preventive measures to significantly reduce risk.

“People should avoid sweeping or vacuuming rodent-infested areas directly, as this may spread contaminated particles into the air. Instead, affected areas should be ventilated first and cleaned using disinfectants while wearing gloves and masks. Proper storage of food, sealing entry points for rodents, and maintaining hygiene in homes, warehouses, and workplaces are also important preventive steps,” the expert added.

Eli Lilly has launched Lormalzi, the Indian version of the US FDA-approved donanemab, for the early treatment of Alzheimer’s disease in the country. The drug can also be used for people with mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia.

Dementia affects around 8.8 million people in India, and Alzheimer’s accounts for the majority of cases. The number is expected to nearly double by 2036.

The once-monthly therapy, administered as an intravenous infusion, targets amyloid plaques in the brain and may help slow disease progression in selected patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia.

“For 35 years, Lilly has been a global pioneer advancing research of therapies and diagnostics for people with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager of Eli Lilly India. He added that Alzheimer’s imposes a major emotional and economic burden on patients, caregivers, and healthcare systems.

What Is Lormalzi?

Lormalzi is a monoclonal antibody therapy designed to target amyloid-beta plaques in the brain — one of the hallmark features associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The drug works by helping the immune system remove these abnormal protein deposits, which are believed to contribute to memory loss and cognitive decline.

The FDA approved the therapy in 2024 under the brand name Kisunla. Globally, Kisunla is sold in countries including the US, Japan, and parts of Europe.

Lormalzi: Who Can Get The Treatment?

Donanemab is best suited for people with:

• Early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s
• Mild Alzheimer’s dementia
• Amyloid-positive patients (confirmed by amyloid PET/CSF or blood biomarkers)

It is not meant for those who have already progressed to advanced stages.

Moreover, while the drug can dissolve the build-up of amyloid-beta protein in the brain, it cannot reverse the damage that has already occurred.

Also read: AI Can Fast-track Better Diagnostics, Cure For Alzheimer’s, Says OpenAI’s Sam Altman

Lormalzi: How Much Does It Cost In India?

Eli Lilly has priced Lormalzi at Rs 91,688 for a 350 mg vial in India. Reports suggest the treatment duration may extend up to 18 months, potentially making it expensive for many patients.

Lormalzi’s Safety And Efficacy: Are There Any Side Effects?

Clinical trial data from Eli Lilly’s Phase 3 TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 study showed that donanemab slowed cognitive and functional decline.

The study, involving 1,736 patients — 860 of whom received the infusion every four weeks until amyloid clumps cleared — found that donanemab slowed cognitive decline in early Alzheimer’s patients by 35.1 per cent over 76 weeks.

However, the drug is known to cause amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), including swelling or bleeding in the brain, most of which are asymptomatic. The study showed that 24 per cent of participants experienced ARIA involving brain swelling, while 19.7 per cent experienced brain bleeds. Three treatment-related deaths were also reported.

Symptoms may include headache, confusion, visual disturbances, and, in rare cases, seizures. Hence, MRI monitoring is essential during treatment.

Notably, the risk may be higher in people with APOE ε4 carriers and patients on blood thinners, Dr. Sudhir Kumar, neurologist at Apollo Hospitals, Hyderabad, shared in a post on social media platform X.

Lecanemab vs Lormalzi

Read More: Another Norovirus Outbreak Confirmed Aboard Cruise Ship In France; Over 1,700 People Trapped

Leqembi (lecanemab) is not yet formally registered or widely marketed for general sale in India. While it is on track for introduction in the country, the Alzheimer’s therapy can reportedly be accessed through specialised import channels (Named Patient Supply) with a valid prescription.

Lecanemab is a disease-modifying therapy for early Alzheimer’s disease, administered via intravenous infusion every two weeks to slow cognitive decline.

In contrast, donanemab is administered once every four weeks.

Additionally, treatment with donanemab can be halted after a certain level of amyloid protein clearance is achieved, with patients in the study switching to placebo thereafter.

“In the absence of amyloid PET imaging, which is currently not available in India, the evidence-based approach is to treat patients with donanemab for 18 months,” the company said.

How Does The Treatment Work?

“Donanemab is a newer anti-amyloid antibody designed to slow progression of Alzheimer’s disease by clearing amyloid plaques from the brain,” Dr. Sudhir said.

He noted that “donanemab represents an important scientific advance because it targets underlying Alzheimer pathology rather than only symptoms”.

According to an Eli Lilly spokesperson, treatment in India is expected to continue for 18 months (76 weeks) in most patients because amyloid PET imaging, often used internationally to assess plaque clearance, is not yet widely available in India.

Treatment may be stopped earlier if:

• Serious safety concerns develop
• Patients experience adverse effects
• The disease progresses to moderate Alzheimer’s disease

Lormalzi: Is It A Cure For Alzheimer’s?

Dr. Sudhir stated that “not all dementia patients benefit”. He added that Lormalzi “is not a cure; it does not reverse established dementia”.

“The benefit is modest, but clinically meaningful in selected patients.” He also stressed the need for carefully selecting patients for the therapy.

“Lifestyle measures, cognitive engagement, vascular risk control, sleep, hearing correction, and caregiver support remain extremely important,” Dr. Sudhir said, adding that “Alzheimer’s care is still much more than a single drug”.

Hot on the heels of the hantavirus outbreak onboard MV Hondius and a norovirus outbreak on a Caribbean cruise, France has now reported another suspected norovirus outbreak and confined more than 1,700 passengers and crew members to a cruise ship docked in Bordeaux.

The Ambition cruise ship, carrying 1,233 passengers — most of them British or Irish nationals — arrived in Bordeaux on Tuesday.

French health officials stated that 80 people had suffered from “symptoms consistent with an acute digestive infection” since Monday, Radio Télévision Suisse reported.

Further tests confirmed that a simple “episode of gastroenteritis” was affecting those onboard.

“The results of the epidemiological analysis and biological samples taken at the Bordeaux University Hospital confirm that this is indeed an outbreak of viral gastroenteritis (norovirus), transmitted from person to person or through the environment. At this stage, no serious cases have been reported,” the Gironde prefecture and the regional health agency (ARS) said in a statement.

Sick Passengers Isolated Onboard

The doctor on board the ship isolated sick passengers in their cabins as soon as they showed symptoms, while the remaining passengers were allowed to move around onboard but were not permitted to disembark at the docks.

The situation was reported Tuesday evening after the ship and its 514 crew members arrived at the port of Bordeaux, where it remains moored in the city center.

Authorities later stated that the “disembarkation ban” affecting passengers and crew since the vessel’s arrival at dawn would be lifted for asymptomatic individuals. However, those who are ill must remain in isolation.

On Monday, “digestive symptoms appeared” while the ship was stationed in Brest, said Dr. Karim Tararbit, medical adviser to the ARS, during a press briefing.

Also Read: Why The Norovirus Outbreak On A Caribbean Cruise Ship Is Not A Cause for Panic

Passenger Death Reported

According to the Grand Port Maritime de Bordeaux, the body of the deceased is being kept onboard “in accordance with the provisions of international conventions”.

What Does The Cruise Operator Say

“We would like to reassure guests that we take any illnesses aboard our fleet extremely seriously. Enhanced sanitation and prevention protocols were immediately implemented across the ship in line with established public health procedures following the initial reports of illness,” the cruise operator said in a statement.

“The comprehensive health and safety measures introduced include increased cleaning and disinfection in public areas, assisted service in selected dining venues, and ongoing guidance to guests regarding hand hygiene, including regular hand washing, use of hand sanitizers, and prompt reporting of any symptoms to the onboard medical team.”

The company added that medical consultations related to gastrointestinal illness were being provided free of charge.

Authorities in Bordeaux requested a routine review of the ship’s health status and records, the operator said, adding that a specialist medical team and sanitation consultants had also been dispatched to the vessel.

Norovirus Case On Caribbean Cruise

Last week, a cruise ship sailing from Florida with over 3,000 passengers reported a major norovirus outbreak, affecting more than 100 passengers and crew members who fell ill with vomiting and diarrhea. as the cause.

According to the cruise operator Princess Cruises, enhanced cleaning protocols were implemented immediately after the outbreak was detected. Sick passengers and crew were isolated, and hygiene measures across dining and public areas were intensified.

Read More: India Better Prepared For Hantavirus Outbreaks After COVID-19 Experience, Says Dr NK Ganguly | Exclusive

What Is Norovirus?

Norovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes gastroenteritis, leading to inflammation of the stomach and intestines.

Speaking to HealthandMe, epidemiologist Dr. Amitav Banerjee, professor at DY Patil Vidyapeeth, Pune, described the norovirus as “notorious because it spreads very fast”.

“It can spread through fomites like handles and knobs, and even a very low infectious dose — around 18 viral particles — can cause infection. So it spreads very fast,” he said.

Norovirus illnesses usually last between two and three days. Symptoms usually begin suddenly within 12 to 48 hours of exposure and may include:

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Watery diarrhea
• Stomach cramps
• Low-grade fever
• Headache and body aches
• Fatigue

What You Can Do To Stop Its Spread

Because of how fast viruses spread, experts highly recommend preventive actions such as:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water, especially after using the toilet or before preparing food.
• Avoid visiting hospitals or care homes if experiencing symptoms.
• Stay home for at least 48 hours after symptoms subside to prevent spreading the virus.