Two widely praised Alzheimer’s medicine It has been proven to enable patients to live independently and extend their homes.
However, these drugs, while effective, are not without risks and side effects.
This is based on the latest research published last week in the journal of the Alzheimer’s Association.
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Researchers at the University of Washington School of Medicine analyzed 282 patients with Alzheimer’s disease who were able to continue living independently after taking two specific treatments: lecanemab (Leqembi) (Leqembi) and Donanemab (Kisunla).
Two widely touted Alzheimer’s drugs have been shown to enable patients to live independently, extending longer. (iStock)
Two FDA-approved drugs are designed to remove amyloid beta plaques from the brains of early stages of people Alzheimer’s diseasemay slow down the decline in cognitive ability.
According to a WASHU press release, patients taking Lecanemab extended their time by 10 months, while Donanemab allowed them to live independently for 8 months.
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According to the version, on average, patients with mild symptoms may expect to live independently for another 29 months without treatment, 39 months of lecanemab and 37 months of Donanemab.
These results are based on patients who started treatment with “very mild symptoms.”
“If you think about the costs and consequences of not being able to live independently, this may be important for many older people.”
“Using data from clinical trials, we calculated that for the average patient who is suffering from dementia in Alzheimer’s disease, either treatment should be used. Lecanemab or Donanemab Pashu Medicine professor of psychiatry, MD, MD, told Fox News Digital that it is expected to extend its independent life by about a year. ”
“If you think about the costs and consequences of not being able to live independently, this may be important to many people. Elderly. ”
On average, patients with mild symptoms may live independently for 29 months without treatment, lecanemab’s 39 months and 37 months of Donanemab. (iStock)
Hartz said the study provides patients and their families with a way to translate clinical trial results into meaningful results.
“For example, if a patient is considering taking lecanemab or Donanemab to treat their ads, part of the discussion with the doctor may be that they expect the drug to extend its independence to be able to take care of their bodies independently.”
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Hartz noted in a press release that the study was not intended to advocate or oppose these drugs. “The purpose…is to contextualize the effects of these drugs to help people make decisions that best suit them and theirs. Family members. ”
Dr. Christopher Weber, senior director of the Global Science Initiative at the Alzheimer’s Association, was not involved in the research, but shared his opinion with Fox News Digital.
According to doctors, anyone considering these treatments should have a “in-depth conversation” with the doctor about the potential benefits and weigh them against the “significant risks” involved. (iStock)
“This study shows that when patients all have greater functional independence, these drugs have meaningful results for early stage patients with Alzheimer’s disease and their families by providing more time in the early stages of the disease. Influence.”
The results highlight the importance of starting treatment early to maximize Potential BenefitsAccording to Weber, starting from a more advanced perspective, independence has decreased in a few months.
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“The advances we have seen in Alzheimer’s treatment are based on decades of research and highlight the importance of continuous innovation and investment in the field to better understand the underlying biology of the disease and trajectory and effectively treat and treat and treat and treat. Prevent it.” He added.
Potential risks and limitations
According to Hartz, the biggest limitation of the study is that participants are very committed to Alzheimer’s research and are often highly educated.
“We don’t know how our findings translate into other populations,” she admitted.
Both FDA-approved drugs are designed to remove amyloid beta plaques from the brains of early Alzheimer’s patients, potentially slowing down cognitive decline. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, file)
Dr. Chris Vercammen, Board Certification Internal Medicine Physicians specializing in geriatrics and palliative care emphasize that while the two drugs can prolong the independence period in patients with Alzheimer’s, “lecanemab and donanemab do not stop or reverse Alzheimer’s disease.”
“It is also important to understand that these new drugs are only beneficial to individuals in the early stages of the disease,” the doctor is also the medical director of Remo Health, California, told Fox News Digital. (Vercammen was not involved in the new study.)
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According to Vercammen, anyone considering these treatments should have a “in-depth conversation” with the doctor about the potential benefits and weigh them against the “significant risks” involved.
“These risks include the possibility of serious side effects, e.g. Brain swelling and bleedingeven if you have coverage, there are a lot of financial costs associated with treatment. ” he warned.
“These new drugs are only beneficial to individuals in early stages of the disease.”
For those who may benefit from these treatments, Hartz recommends that they speak to their doctors and review potential risks and benefits.
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“This information can help benefit the drug in terms of independence,” she added.
Fox News Digital contacted manufacturers of Leqembi and Kisunla for comment.
