How Larry’s experience on new treatment for Alzheimer’s offers hope for future
Blog
Alzheimer's Research UK
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On 17 September 2025
A new film highlights the hope and positivity around dementia research by telling the story of Larry Woelk, who has benefitted from a new treatment for Alzheimer’s disease.
The film from Alzheimer’s Research UK follows the retired business executive and his experience on the lecanemab drug trial.
Larry and his wife Rita are passionate advocates for clinical trials. The film shows how early diagnosis and encouraging people to participate in drugs trials is vital in the search for a cure for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.
Watch the film
Early diagnosis leads to Alzheimer’s drug trial
Both Larry and Rita have experience of dementia in their families. Larry’s mother died with Alzheimer’s, while Rita’s sister also has the disease and is living in a care home. So, when they noticed problems with Larry’s memory they sought a diagnosis promptly.
Larry was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in 2018 after an MRI scan. He was then able to join the lecanemab trial in 2020.
Larry’s experience shows just how life-changing an early and accurate diagnosis can be. Yet across the UK, too many people are left waiting months – even years – for the same answers.
That’s why, through our Dementia Unseen campaign, we’re calling on Government to make dementia diagnosis a right, not a waiting game.
Benefitting from a treatment for Alzheimer’s
Larry received an IV infusion of the drug every two weeks through The Memory Assessment & Research Centre in Southampton.
After the first trial finished, it was confirmed he was receiving the drug, not the placebo. He then went onto the extended trial which continues until the end of 2025.
Larry and Rita both believe the drug has helped slow the progression of his symptoms. He also did not experience any side-effects.
Larry said: “Everyone when they get old forgets things, like ‘why did you go into that room?’ or ‘what channel is that show on?’. But my memory had slipped a little bit more than normal.
“On lecanemab it hasn’t slipped a lot further. I’ve taken memory tests every six months and those really haven’t changed in the time I’ve been on the trial.
“I feel fortunate that my diagnosis came so early and got me on this journey at a time when I could be helped and that I have received a drug that is beneficial to me.
“I am still able to live a full life – going on bike rides, playing mahjong, and socialising with friends and family.”
Rita added: “We hope that now there are treatments that are proven to slow down this disease, it will bring Alzheimer’s out of the shadows. We hope it will encourage people when they first notice a problem to seek help and get a diagnosis.”
What is lecanemab?
Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) were the first Alzheimer’s drugs in the UK for 20 years to gain regulatory approval. They are also the first that work by tackling the disease itself, rather than only alleviating symptoms.
The drugs are designed for people diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s or MCI. They work by clearing clumps of amyloid proteins, which build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
However, both drugs are not available on the NHS as The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has ruled that they do not have a high enough benefit to justify the cost.
Despite this setback, the development of the drugs remains a hugely exciting breakthrough for research. They unlock the door to new and more effective treatments in the future and are proof that research can take us ever closer towards a cure.
How to get involved in dementia research
Larry was motivated to register as a volunteer for drug trials as his son, Christopher, works in biomedical research. For around 10 years he worked in HIV research, which has seen huge breakthroughs in new treatments.
His story showcases that there is real momentum for treating the diseases that cause dementia. With more trials happening, our knowledge about how these treatments work will only improve.
Rita said: “I think to contribute to any drug trial is a gift to research.
“There are many people in the future who will have dementia. So, the sooner we get to a cure the better. The more drug trials that are run, the more people who partake, the faster we will get there.”
More than ever, we need people to take part in research studies so we can create a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia.
About the author
Alzheimer's Research UK
It is encouraging to know that Larry is having good results, memory is improving.
My wife diagnosed back in May, 2023 is on leqembi infusion #42 – though she has lost the ability to drive and handle finances, she continues to volunteer and socialize without restrictions.
I am waiting for my doctor to start me on this. He has taken the blood test. Just waiting to start. This was encouraging!
Positive response to participating in a trial – very encouraging.
I have PSP, will new drug work for me please?
Hi Susan, thank you for your question.
Lecanemab is a treatment specifically designed to target amyloid-beta, a protein that builds up abnormally in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. It works by helping the immune system to clear this protein, and clinical trials have shown that it can modestly slow the progression of early Alzheimer’s.
However, progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a different neurodegenerative condition. PSP is classified as a primary tauopathy, meaning that its symptoms are caused by the abnormal accumulation of the protein tau. As such, treatments like lecanemab that target amyloid are not expected to be effective for PSP.
At present, there are no approved disease-modifying treatments for PSP, but research into new therapies, including those targeting tau, is ongoing.
I’m part of this trail and started in 2023 and have the 2 monthly infusions. I currently don’t show any symptoms and have no family history but do have the bio markers amyloid proteins.
I would encourage anybody to put themselves forward for trials because without these trials any potential drug cannot come to market and I am sure nobody reading this wishes they or their love ones fall to this terrible disease.
My husband was diagnosed approx 3 years ago. Is it too late to take part in a trial?
Hi Thelma, thank you for your question. We are sorry to hear about your husband’s diagnosis.
Whilst the trial for lecanemab has now ended, there are many other studies and trials currently recruiting volunteers both with and without a diagnosis of dementia. The best way to find out about this is through an NHS service called Join Dementia Research. You can find out more on our website: https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/research/getting-involved-in-research/
If you would prefer to talk to someone and sign up over the phone, you can give us a call on 0300 111 5111.
I was in the trial for this drug. It worked!
So many people are angry how costly the drugs are, but they do not know how much work and research and money is going to help people like me with this disease.
After 3 years of going into Boston every month for the trial drug, most people do not know I have Alzheimer’s. I can read a book, play tennis and golf still. I am 75 years and my friends say no one would know that I have Alzheimer’s…so many people hate the companies that spend millions of dollars to help me have a decent life. I am grateful for these researchers.
Unfortunately, our Government is using OUR money to created golden Ballrooms instead supporting the Americans that have this disease…
I am hoping for a treatment that can reverse the damage for my spouse who is in the moderate stage of the disease. It appeared that she was too late for many of the treatments that are now offered.