Springfield Standard

The Missouri Memory Center and Citizens Memorial Hospital’s Research Department have played a role in a national study evaluating the Alzheimer’s disease treatment Leqembi (lecanemab). The early results of this study were shared on July 27 at the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto, which is considered the world’s largest meeting for dementia researchers and clinicians. Nearly 19,000 people attended the event.

The Missouri Memory Center was one of only 12 clinics across the United States chosen to participate in this research. The study looks at how patients are responding to lecanemab in typical clinical settings following its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration two years ago.

Researchers reported that patient outcomes with lecanemab in real-world medical practice are closely matching those from earlier clinical trials, which formed the basis for its regulatory approval.

“This is an exciting moment for Alzheimer’s research,” said Curtis P. Schreiber, M.D., medical director of the Missouri Memory Center and a study investigator who attended the session. “The findings mark an important step in understanding how the medication performs outside of controlled research environments. The consistency between clinical trial outcomes and real-world results offers renewed hope for patients and families affected by this devastating disease.”

The research will continue as more data is collected to assess the long-term effects of lecanemab treatment.

Dr. Schreiber, who leads the Missouri Memory Center, has over three decades of experience and established the center at CMH in 2015. He has served as principal investigator for 11 Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials conducted at Citizens Memorial Hospital's Research Department.

Those interested in learning more about Alzheimer’s research or scheduling appointments can contact Citizens Memorial Healthcare at their Bolivar location or call 417-327-3530.