Alzheimer's disease treatment in Israel — get 3 personalized clinic matches

Israel approved Leqembi (lecanemab) in July 2024 and Kisunla (donanemab) in late 2024 for early-stage Alzheimer's. These monoclonal antibodies target amyloid plaques to slow cognitive decline. Patients receive these therapies via intravenous infusion at major centers like Sourasky Medical Center and Rambam Medical Center.

• Leqembi (lecanemab): Administered via intravenous infusion once every two weeks.
• Kisunla (donanemab): Monthly infusion targeting amyloid; treatment may stop after plaque clearance.
• Aduhelm (aducanumab): Received earlier approval but is now rarely used in Israel.
• NeuroAD system: Israeli-developed device combining magnetic brain stimulation with cognitive training.

Bookimed Expert Insight: While these medications are approved, they are not currently in the national health basket. Our data shows patients often choose JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky or Assuta for private administration. These facilities offer access to specialists like Dr. Tatyana Gurevich and Prof. Nir Giladi, who manage the complex monitoring required for these new biological therapies.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that while approvals are exciting, high out-of-pocket costs remain a major hurdle. Many suggest checking clinical trial eligibility at large hospitals to access these treatments faster and more affordably.

Israel's National Health Basket covers essential Alzheimer's diagnostic services, specialist consultations, and first-line medications for mild-to-moderate stages. Established drug families like acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are included. However, newer biological treatments like Leqembi and specialized medical technologies currently remain excluded from public funding for 2026.

• Diagnostic services: Includes memory clinic assessments and comprehensive geriatric evaluations.
• Covered medications: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are available for stabilizing cognitive decline.
• Home care: Public funding covers home hospitalization and hospice services.
• Chronic status: Diagnosis provides a monthly cap on medication copayments.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky and Hadassah are global hubs for neurological research, often providing access to treatments not yet in the health basket. For example, Dr. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky and Prof. Tamir Ben-Hur at Hadassah lead studies on surgical interventions and stem cell therapies. Patients often seek these academic centers to participate in clinical trials, which can provide access to restricted biological drugs without the significant out-of-pocket costs typically required for private prescriptions.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that while basic medications are accessible, the public approval process for specific drugs can vary significantly between different health funds. Many emphasize the need to budget for non-covered supplements and recommend starting the formal diagnosis early to avoid delays in receiving subsidized care.

Patients secure an Alzheimer's diagnosis in Israel through a tiered clinical pathway. The process begins with a primary care screening. Specialists at JCI-accredited centers like Sourasky Medical Center or Hadassah then perform advanced neuroimaging and cognitive assessments. Definitive diagnosis often requires MRI, PET scans, or lumbar punctures.

• Initial referral: Family physicians at health funds (Kupat Cholim) provide necessary specialist referrals.
• Specialist evaluation: Geriatricians or neurologists like Prof. Nir Giladi conduct comprehensive cognitive exams.
• Advanced imaging: Facilities use CT or MRI to identify specific brain tissue changes.
• Biomarker testing: Specialized clinics offer amyloid tests or lumbar punctures for precise confirmation.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Data suggests focusing on multidisciplinary centers like Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. This facility operates 240 departments and processes 1,800,000 patients annually. Choosing such large-scale institutions often provides faster access to integrated teams of neurologists and neurosurgeons. For example, Prof. Itzhak Fried at Sourasky specializes specifically in senile dementia of the Alzheimer's type. This targeted expertise is more common in high-volume academic hospitals than in smaller private clinics.

Patient Consensus: Patients note that public waitlists for full neurological evaluations can take 3 to 6 months. Many suggest presenting functional decline as urgent to speed up the process for essential nursing care subsidies.

Israel offers extensive non-pharmacological support for Alzheimer’s patients through specialized medical centers and community programs. These services include cognitive rehabilitation, sensory therapies, and structured day care. Facilities like Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center provide multidisciplinary neurological care and innovative behavioral protocols.

• Clinical Neuromodulation: Specialized clinics use non-invasive techniques to manage movement and cognitive symptoms.
• Cognitive Rehabilitation: Tailored programs focus on memory preservation and functional speech recovery during therapy.
• Multi-Specialty Care: University hospitals integrate neurology, neurosurgery, and rehabilitation for comprehensive patient support.
• Day Centers: Community hubs provide art, music, and exercise to stimulate cognitive function.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Israeli medical centers like Sourasky and Hadassah are unique because their neurological departments are led by professors who also conduct global clinical research. For example, Dr. Nir Giladi and Dr. Itzhak Fried combine active surgical practice with memory disorder research. This means patients often access the latest behavioral protocols months before they become standard global practice.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize that joining support groups through the Alzheimer's Israel association helps manage agitation. Families frequently recommend local day centers to provide social stimulation and essential respite for primary caregivers.

International patients can participate in clinical trials in Israel for Alzheimer's disease. Approval from the Ministry of Health and a Helsinki Committee is mandatory for all studies. Major centers like Sourasky and Hadassah actively recruit participants for innovative stem cell and neuroimmunology research.

• Official registry: Use the MyTrial database from the Israeli Ministry of Health for approved studies.
• Eligibility screening: Screening includes genetic markers, ECG, and CT scans to confirm study matching.
• Entry requirements: International participants typically require a B/2 medical visa and a sponsor letter.
• Ethical oversight: Experts like Dr. Tatyana Gurevich serve on Ethics Committees to ensure safety.

Bookimed Expert Insight: Sourasky Medical Center serves over 1,800,000 patients annually and houses specialized units for functional neurosurgery. Professors like Dr. Nir Giladi and Dr. Itzhak Fried lead research with over 300 combined publications. Patients should target these high-volume academic centers as they often pioneer global protocols for memory recovery.

Patient Consensus: Patients emphasize completing virtual pre-screening through hospital portals to avoid rejection after traveling. Many note that while the medical treatment is free, budgeting for a 3-month bureaucratic process is essential.