Drugs that slow down early Alzheimer’s disease

Raquel Sánchez-Valle, coordinator of the behavior and dementia group of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), emphasized: Benefits of anti-amyloid drugs for people with Alzheimer’s diseasebecause “at the initial stages” they cause the pathology to “progress more slowly.”

This was stated by an employee of the Alzheimer’s and other cognitive disorders department of the Barcelona Hospital Clinic during the webinar “Update on anti-amyloid treatments” organized by the Spanish Confederation of Alzheimer’s and other dementias (CEAFA).

In this sense, the expert explained that Amylod is a protein that all people have and is necessary for the normal functioning of neurons. “The problem is that an excess of amyloidogenic forms leads to the formation of amyloid plaques. The accumulation of these plaques, which do not dissolve, is the initial and fundamental phenomenon of Alzheimer’s disease,” he emphasized.

Only three drugs are capable of reducing amyloid protein.

To date, three drugs have demonstrated positive results and effects on the ability to eliminate amyloid protein: aducanumab, lecanemab and donanemab. “The last two are the first anti-amyloid drugs to show a clinical effect, that is, an effect on reducing amyloid plaques,” the expert commented, adding that “the clinical effect This does not mean an improvement in the condition of patients, but rather that the disease progresses more slowly. Therefore, the treated people experience less deterioration in their condition than those who did not take the drug.

At the moment, lecanemab and donanemab are under evaluation by the European Medicines Agency. (EMA, the English acronym), “so patients cannot yet be treated by them in Spain, and it is not known when this will be,” said Sanchez-Valle.

On the other hand, the expert warns that These drugs are not without side effects. One of the most common side effects is an infusion reaction, a feeling of discomfort for several hours after the drug is administered. “Other effects, less common but more worrisome, are possible hemorrhages (which can range from microscopic to significant) and swelling or inflammation of the brain,” he notes.

Patient candidates

During her speech, the expert also mentioned Patients who are candidates for this type of drug: People with mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer’s dementia who are known to have amyloid.

Although it is true that the novelty of this type of treatment will imply the presence of a guardian who will ensure that the patient complies with the established safety measures, as well as the treatment itself. “In addition, decision-making must be shared between the professional, the patient and his family,” concluded Sanchez-Valle.