'Some Hope Is Better Than Having No Hope'

<p>When the F.D.A. approved the drug Aduhelm, the first Alzheimer’s treatment to receive the agency’s endorsement in almost two decades, it gave hope to many.</p><p>But the decision was contentious; some experts say there’s not enough evidence that the treatment can address cognitive symptoms.</p><p>What is the story behind this new drug?</p><p>Guest: <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/by/pam-belluck?smid=pc-thedaily">Pam Belluck</a>, a health and science writer for The New York Times.  </p><p><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/signup/NTTD?smid=pc-thedaily">Sign up here</a> to get The Daily in your inbox each morning. And for an exclusive look at how the biggest stories on our show come together, <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/newsletters/the-daily?module=inline">subscribe to our newsletter</a>. </p><p>Background reading: </p><ul><li><a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/08/business/aducanumab-alzheimers-cost.html">Aduhelm, also known as aducanumab</a>, was approved despite<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/07/health/aduhelm-fda-alzheimers-drug.html"> opposition from the F.D.A.’s independent advisory committee</a> and some Alzheimer’s experts.</li><li>Even those who supported the F.D.A.’s approval have said that authorizing it for anyone with the disease<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/06/21/health/aduhelm-alzheimers-drug.html"> is much too broad</a>.</li></ul><p>For more information on today’s episode, visit <a href="http://nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-thedaily">nytimes.com/thedaily</a>. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday. </p>