Dementia is a mental condition where one loses the ability to think and remember. It is heartbreaking when someone close to you does not recognize you. Dementia is diagnosed mainly among older people. Worldwide, more than 55 million people live with dementia, and almost 10 million new cases occur every year.
60-70% of dementia cases are from Alzheimer's disease. It is also the 7th major cause of death globally among all conditions.
Due to this the need for neurosurgeons in the world is expanding and becoming exponential. There are numerous neurological cases worldwide that require attention, and you or your loved one may be one of them.
What is the new treatment for dementia?
Lecanemab is the new dementia medication approved by the FDA on September 28, 2022. It is the first to show a positive indication of cognitive improvement in a rigorous study.
Lecanemab is an experimental anti-amyloid beta protofibril antibody for treating cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease. Lecanemab works by building up the amyloid protein in people's brains with Alzheimer's disease. This makes the brain's immune system clear them away.
Lecanemab is the new breakthrough in the treatment of dementia, as no other drug developed earlier to decelerate the progress of the disease.
Effectiveness of new dementia medication
Lecanemab was tested in a three-phase trial. The name of the study was CLARITY-AD. During the trials of the new treatment for dementia,
- 900 participants were given Lecanemab for 18 months.
- Another group of 900 participants was given the dummy drug or placebo.
According to the CLARITY-AD findings, Lecanemab showed a decline in the deterioration of cognitive ability. Also, the brain scan results of people taking Lecanemab showed decreased levels of amyloid proteins.
The trial results suggest that Lecanemab has the potential to slow down dementia progression, and people with dementia can now live a longer and more independent life. This is the most encouraging outcome in the clinical trials of any dementia treatment ever.
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How is lecanemab different from other drugs?
Already existing drugs like Aricept and memantine were symptomatic medications. They facilitated the brain cells' ability to communicate better, not aiming to treat the underlying cause. In contrast, the new dementia treatment targets and kills amyloid proteins, thereby curing the disease at its source.
When can you take lecanemab?
Lecanemab was designed primarily for use in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. There have been no trials for the effectiveness of lecanemab in the later stages, but it has still not been studied.
How does the new treatment for dementia work?
Lecanemab falls into the category of monoclonal antibody drugs. Our immune system forms antibodies that attach to dangerous proteins and kill them. Lecanemab comprises antibodies that attach to amyloid proteins that have accumulated in the brains of Alzheimer's patients and destroy them. Our body cannot produce the antibodies necessary to destroy these amyloid proteins. Hence, these antibodies are prepared in the lab and administered via infusion.
What are the side effects of New treatment for Dementia?
The CLARITY-AD study shows that there is a concern about side effects called ARIA (Amyloid Related Imaging Abnormalities). The MRI brain scans showed signs of
- swelling and
- slight changes in the brain's structure.
Every 1 out of every 8 people who were given the new dementia medication developed ARIA. On the other hand, less than 1 out of 50 people who were given a Placebo developed ARIA. Although, 80% of the people who developed ARIA had no symptoms of dementia like headaches or confusion.
Also, whether ARIA can become more dangerous over time is not clear, and the understanding of ARIA is dicey among the researchers.
References:
https://www.pharmacytimes.com/
