Two widely advertised Alzheimer's drugs have been shown to allow patients to stay independently at home for longer periods of time.
However, these drugs are effective, but are not free from risks and side effects.
This is according to a recent survey published last week in the Alzheimer's Disease Association Journal.
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Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said that 282 Alzheimer's patients live independently after receiving two specific treatments and then taking lekanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab (Kisunla) We analyzed whether we were able to continue.
Two widely advertised Alzheimer's drugs have been shown to allow patients to stay independently at home for longer periods of time. (istock)
Both FDA approved drugs are designed to remove amyloid beta plaque from the brains of people with early stage Alzheimer's disease, and may slow down the rate of cognitive decline.
According to a press release from Washu, patients who took Lecanemab extended their time at home for another 10 months, allowing Donanemab to live independently for another eight months.
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According to the release, patients with mild symptoms on average can expect to become independent for another 29 months without treatment, 39 months with lecanemab and 37 months with donanemab for 37 months without treatment.
These results were based on patients who started treatment with “very mild symptoms.”
“This may be important for many older people given the costs and consequences of not being able to live independently.”
“Using clinical trial data, for the average patient with very mild symptoms of Alzheimer's disease dementia, treatment with either lecanemab or donanemab can extend an independent life for about a year. We calculated that it was expected,” senior author Sarah Hertz and MD, PhD, a professor of psychiatry at Washu Medicine, told Fox News Digital.
“This may be important for many older people given the costs and consequences of not being able to live independently.”
On average, patients with mild symptoms can expect to be independent for another 29 months without treatment, 39 months with lecanemab and 37 months with donanemab. (istock)
According to Hartz, the study gives patients and their families a way to translate clinical trial results into meaningful results.
“For example, if a patient is considering treating advertisements by taking lecanemab or donanemab, some of the discussions with the doctor are that the drugs can prolong independence in that they can live independently. It's how much you expect to do. You can take care of your body independently.”
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The purpose of this study is not to advocate for these drug therapies, Hertz noted in a press release. “The goal is to put the effects of these drugs into context in a way that can help people make decisions that are best for themselves and their families.”
Dr. Christopher Weber, senior director of the Alzheimer's Disease Association's Global Science Initiative, was not involved in the study, but shared his views with Fox News Digital.
Those considering these treatments, according to the doctor, who are considering these treatments, have a “detailed conversation” with the doctor about the potential benefits and are entitled to the associated “significant risks” and You need to compare and consider it. (istock)
“This study states that these drugs provide more time in early Alzheimer's disease patients and their families, by providing more time in the early stages of the disease if the patient has more functional independence. It suggests that it has a meaningful effect on the
According to Weber, the findings underscore the importance of starting treatment early to maximize potential benefits.
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“The advances seen in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease are built on decades of research and highlight the importance of ongoing innovation and investment in this field, and the underlying biology and trajectory of disease is shaped. “Better understand, detect and treat before, effectively treat and prevent it,” he added.
Potential risks and limitations
According to Hartz, the biggest limitation of this study was that participants were very dedicated to studying Alzheimer's disease and were usually highly educated.
“I don't know how well our findings will be converted to other populations,” she admitted.
Both FDA approved drugs are designed to remove amyloid beta plaque from the brains of people with early stage Alzheimer's disease, and may slow down the rate of cognitive decline. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, file)
Dr. Chris Verkammen, a board-certified medical doctor specializing in geriatric medicine and palliative care, said that while two drugs can extend the period of independence for people with Alzheimer's disease, “Lekanemab and Donanemab are Alzheimer's disease. He emphasized not to stop or reverse the process.
“It's also important to understand that these new drugs are beneficial only for individuals in the early stages of the disease,” a doctor who is also medical director at Rema Health in California told Fox News Digital. (Vercammen was not involved in any new research.)
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According to Vercammen, anyone considering these treatments should have a “detailed conversation” with a doctor about the potential benefits and weigh it against the “significant risks.”
“These risks include the possibility of serious side effects such as swelling and bleeding in the brain, as well as substantial financial costs associated with treatment, even with insurance coverage,” he warned.
“These new drugs are only beneficial to individuals in the early stages of the disease.”
For those who may benefit from these treatments, Hertz recommends talking to doctors and reviewing potential risks and benefits.
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“This information could help contextualize how drugs benefit them in terms of independence,” she added.
Fox News Digital has contacted the manufacturers of Leqembi and Kisunla to request comment.
