Significant progress has been made in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease with the approval of the drug donanemab by the US Food and Drug Administration. This drug, now known as kisunla, contains an antibody designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by removing amyloid protein plaque in the brain. Clinical trials have shown that the drug can help patients live independently for a longer period and continue with daily activities.
Lilly, the manufacturing company, reported that patients taking donanemab had a 35% lower risk of disease progression compared to those taking a placebo. While there were some serious side effects during trials, such as a slightly higher mortality rate and instances of brain hemorrhages, the FDA advisors deemed the treatment safe and effective. The company added an additional brain MRI test to identify the risk of brain bleeding early on.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive degenerative disease that affects brain cells, leading to memory loss, impaired thinking, and other cognitive issues. The approval of the donanemab drug provides another treatment option for patients in the early stages of the disease. Prof. David Tana of the Rambam Medical Center described this approval as significant for patients in Israel, offering hope for slowing disease progression and potentially stopping it altogether with the removal of pathological brain proteins.
In addition to drug treatments, early diagnosis is crucial for Alzheimer’s disease. New tests, such as blood tests and spinal fluid tests, can help detect the disease before symptoms appear. The recent advancements in Alzheimer’s treatment offer hope for patients and their families as researchers continue to search for a cure.