Lecanemab works by removing a sticky protein from the brain that is believed to cause Alzheimer's disease to advance. “It's very exciting because this is the first treatment in our history that shows an unequivocal slowing of decline in Alzheimer's disease,” says Dr. van Dyck.
Lecanemab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for early Alzheimer's disease in January 2023. This means that it can now be given to patients with early Alzheimer's disease in the USA.
Lecanemab is a disease modifying treatment for people living with the early stages of Alzheimer's disease or mild cognitive impairment. The drug includes antibodies which are designed to attach to and remove amyloid plaques.
A clinical trial of donanemab has showed the drug significantly slows cognitive and functional decline in people with early symptomatic disease. It is estimated that almost 400,000 people in Australia had dementia in 2022.
Cholinisterase Inhibitors are the most commonly prescribed medications for dementia. There are 3 cholinisterase inhibitors, which include, Donepezil, Galantamine and Rivastigmine.
Donepezil (also known as Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl) are used to treat the symptoms of mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease. Donepezil is also used to treat more severe Alzheimer's disease.
Safer Medications to Consider
Alternative prescription medications include ramelteon (Rozerem®), low dose trazodone (Oleptro®, Desyrel®) or low dose mirtazapine (Remeron®).
Lilly's Donanemab Significantly Slowed Cognitive and Functional Decline in Phase 3 Study of Early Alzheimer's Disease | Eli Lilly and Company.
Cholinesterase inhibitors are the first choice of treatment for memory loss. The doctor may also prescribe the single-dose drug combination Namzeric to treat moderate to severe memory loss.
Aducanumab, marketed as Aduhelm, is an antibody that targets amyloid plaques and helps the immune system to clear them from the brain. In 2021, aducanumab was approved for use in the US by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) but it isn't approved in other countries, including Australia and Europe.
Administration: The examiner reads a list of 5 words at a rate of one per second, giving the following instructions: “This is a memory test. I am going to read a list of words that you will have to remember now and later on. Listen carefully. When I am through, tell me as many words as you can remember.
Medicare will cover the drug only for beneficiaries enrolled in a clinical trial approved by CMS or supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The price has been set at $28,200 per year — before accounting for the costs of determining eligibility, monitoring, treating side effects, and drug administration.
Aduhelm costs an average of $28,200 per year for patients who receive treatment without insurance coverage.
Stay mentally and socially active. Engaging in mental or social activities may help to build up your brain's ability to cope with disease, relieve stress and improve your mood. This means doing these activities may help to delay, or even prevent, dementia from developing.
Studies have shown that playing games, playing an instrument, reading books and other activities may help preserve brain function. Being social may make life more satisfying, help preserve mental function and slow mental decline. Memory training and other cognitive training may help improve your function.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
What are the foods that fight memory loss? Berries, fish, and leafy green vegetables are 3 of the best foods that fight memory loss. There's a mountain of evidence showing they support and protect brain health.
The average life expectancy figures for the most common types of dementia are as follows: Alzheimer's disease – around eight to 10 years. Life expectancy is less if the person is diagnosed in their 80s or 90s. A few people with Alzheimer's live for longer, sometimes for 15 or even 20 years.
Physical exercise, cognitive activities, and social interactions are recognized as the three most effective ways to prevent cognitive decline and improve the sense of self-worth for dementia patients.