The neurology team at Hospital da Luz Lisboa was the first in Portugal to administer to its patients the only currently available disease‑modifying treatment for Alzheimer’s disease. The medication was approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in 2024 and more recently by INFARMED, the national medicines authority. Alzheimer’s disease is an incurable neurodegenerative condition in which the progressive death of brain neurons leads to a gradual loss of higher cognitive functions such as memory, language, and orientation. It is the leading cause of dementia worldwide and has a significant impact on patients and their families, affecting more than 200,000 people in Portugal. “Part of the neuronal death is caused by the accumulation of toxic proteins in brain cells, one of which is beta‑amyloid. Existing medications stimulate healthy brain neurons but do not prevent cell death,” explains Sofia Nunes de Oliveira, the neurologist responsible for this area at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. According to the specialist, “this new medication is an anti‑amyloid monoclonal antibody that aims to remove and reduce the burden of toxic proteins in patients’ brains. It has been shown, both in clinical trials and in thousands of patients already treated in other countries, to improve the progression of the disease.” She concludes: “It is not a cure, but it is a major help and an important first step” in treating Alzheimer’s progression. She also notes that these new treatments have side effects, but these “can be minimized through careful patient selection and close follow‑up of each case.” The first patients began treatment this week at Hospital da Luz Lisboa. Prior to starting, they underwent a rigorous evaluation process to confirm their eligibility, including specific tests to demonstrate the presence of amyloid and the absence of contraindications. “The earlier the diagnosis, the greater the benefit. Patients with moderate or advanced dementia can no longer be considered for this type of treatment,” adds Sofia Nunes de Oliveira . To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and the neurology team at Hospital da Luz , visit hospitaldaluz.pt .
