Texas Alzheimer’s Patient Says Most of Her Memory Returned After Leqembi, Here’s What We Know

September 4, 2026: Gail Youngdale, a Texas woman diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, says she has regained much of her memory after receiving lecanemab, sold under the brand name Leqembi. Her story is now being featured in a national Alzheimer’s awareness campaign.

Youngdale was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and later early Alzheimer’s disease. Her mother had died with Alzheimer’s, and her children noticed that she was beginning to show similar symptoms. After her diagnosis in 2018, Youngdale was enrolled in a clinical trial at Kerwin Medical Center in Dallas.

KSAT reported on her treatment in 2023, at the time she was given lecanemab as part of the trial.

Her daughter, Teri Youngdale, said that earlier Gail’s brain scans had shown 9 areas with amyloid plaque. In the recent report, Keri said that the areas no longer showed amyloid plaque and the doctors have not seen any indication of it returning. 

“I don’t have all of my memory back, but most of it,” Gail said to KSAT.

Gail’s story also includes a personal milestone. She went to a high school reunion and reconnected with Phil Mercer, whom she had known since high school. Just like Gail, Mercer had also lost his spouse. The two got married eventually and celebrated their first wedding anniversary. Phil now supports Gail as she continues to live with Alzheimer’s disease.

What Is Leqembi and How Does It Work?

Leqembi is an antibody treatment that targets aggregated forms of beta-amyloid, a protein associated with Alzheimer’s disease. It is designed to reduce amyloid deposits in the brain.

What Do Clinical Trials Show About Leqembi?

In the Phase 3 CLARITY AD trial involving 1,795 people with early Alzheimer’s disease, lecanemab therapy reduced brain amyloid. It also showed a smaller decline in cognition and daily functioning than placebo over 18 months. The treatment ultimately did not eliminate Alzheimer’s disease or restore memory in all patients. 

Leqembi Approval and Subcutaneous Injection

The US FDA (Food and Drug Administration) granted accelerated approval to Leqembi in January 2023. Then, it was converted to traditional approval by July 2023 after a confirmatory trial verified clinical benefit. The treatment is for patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.

Gail received her original Leqembi treatment through a clinical trial before the subcutaneous formulation was approved.

On August 29, 2025, the FDA approved Leqembi IQLIK subcutaneous autoinjector for maintenance treatment after at least 18 months of intravenous Leqembi therapy. In July 2026, the agency approved a subcutaneous starting regimen as well. 

What Are the Risks of Leqembi?

Leqembi has a risk of amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), which requires monitoring for brain swelling or bleeding.

Gail’s journey with Leqembi reveals significant improvement in just one patient; however, it doesn’t prove the efficacy of Leqembi in curing or reversing Alzheimer's. Clinical trials have only demonstrated reduced amyloid and a slowing of cognitive and functional decline in people with early stages of the disease.

(Rh/MSM)