Aducanumab (Aduhelm™) has received accelerated approval as a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Aducanumab was the first therapy to demonstrate that removing beta-amyloid, one of the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s disease, from the brain reduces cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s.
We encourage people who are interested in learning more about this treatment, for themselves or a loved one, to have a conversation with their health care provider.
Is aducanumab a cure for Alzheimer’s and all other dementia?
No. Aducanumab addresses the underlying biology of the disease. According to the FDA, aducanumab reduces beta-amyloid plaques, which is reasonably likely to lead to a reduction in clinical decline due to Alzheimer’s disease.
This could mean more time for individuals to actively participate in daily life, have sustained independence and hold on to memories longer.
Who should take this drug?
Aducanumab is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The drug was studied in people living with early Alzheimer’s disease — which includes people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease who also have evidence of a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain. Treatment with aducanumab may be appropriate for people in the disease stage studied in the clinical trials. There is no safety or effectiveness data on initiating treatment at earlier or later stages of the disease than were studied.
Aducanumab is designed to target and remove specific forms of beta-amyloid that accumulate into plaques, which may contribute to cell death and tissue loss in areas of the brain particularly important for memory, thinking, learning and behaviors. The brain goes on creating beta-amyloid, but aducanumab decreases the amount. Its removal may also help other processes in your brain to operate more efficiently.
There is no evidence that aducanumab can restore lost memories or cognitive function.
The FDA is not requiring any specific diagnostic test.
However, the label says aducanumab is indicated for the treatment of Alzheimer’s, based on reduction in beta-amyloid plaques, one of the hallmarks of the disease. This means that a physician should confirm the presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain before prescribing this anti-amyloid plaque treatment.
Confirmatory tests like cerebrospinal fluid analysis or amyloid PET imaging should be a part of the diagnostic process to determine eligibility for the treatment.
How do I receive this treatment?
If you or a loved one is experiencing memory changes, the Alzheimer’s Association strongly encourages speaking with a health care provider for a thorough evaluation and diagnosis. Aducanumab may be a treatment option.
Personal Senior Care provides this information as an update on treatment options. We are not recommending this treatment or medication.
If your loved one suffers from Alzheimer disease or dementia and their care is your concern please contact Personal Senior Care Homes for the best residential home care. It is critical that the person living with dementia receives the best!
Our team is ready to provide personal care for them! Steve Brock