A newly-approved Alzheimer's drug could help tens of thousands of Australians with the condition, but most people won't have access to the "incredibly important" medicine.
Lacenamab, which has the brand name Leqembi, has been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) for use by some patients with mild cognitive impairment.
It is shown to reduce a plaque in the brain called amyloid, which contributes to Alzheimer's symptoms, but carries a minor risk of swelling or bleeding on the brain.
There are about 425,000 people in Australia living with dementia, according to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW), which the degenerative brain disease, Alzheimer's disease, being the most common form.
Dementia is also a leading causes of death in Australia, the AIHW recently found.