Lilly drug chosen for study aiming to prevent Alzheimer’s in older people with brain plaque

Researchers have chosen an experimental drug by Eli Lilly & Co. for a large federally funded study aiming to prevent Alzheimer’s disease in older people at high risk of developing it.

The drug, called solanezumab (sol-ah-NAYZ-uh-mab), is designed to bind to and help clear the sticky deposits that clog patients’ brains.

Earlier studies found it did not help people with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s but it showed some promise against milder disease.

Researchers think it might work better if given before symptoms start. The new study will test it in 1,000 people ages 70 and older whose brain scans show plaque buildup but who do not yet have any symptoms of dementia.