There is probably nothing more heartbreaking than seeing our elderly mother, father, grandmother, or uncle gradually forget everything. Starting from forgetting small things to finally not remembering who we are or who our children are, Alzheimer's disease is a condition that really makes us all helpless as a family. So, what if a little ray of sunshine appeared in the midst of such a dark cloud? What if there was news about a new drug that could slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease? Today we are going to talk about a new research that has brought such hope.
What is Donanemab? How does it work?
Simply put, Donanemab is a new investigational drug being developed to treat Alzheimer's disease. It is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly.
Now, the main cause of Alzheimer's disease is thought to be the buildup of a harmful protein called amyloid plaques in the brain. Like rust forming in our water pipes, these proteins accumulate between the nerve cells in the brain and interfere with their function. Over time, this is what causes symptoms like memory loss and difficulty thinking.
The drug Donanemab specifically targets these deposits called amyloid plaques. When this drug is given to the body, it goes to the brain, recognizes these unwanted protein deposits, and begins to remove them. This works like an antibody treatment . The scientific basis behind this is that by cleaning the brain in this way, it can slow down the progression of the disease.
The results of this research are so successful that Eli Lilly is preparing to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to approve this drug for public use.
Surprising results revealed by the research
This is not just any research. This is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. That is, patients are divided into two groups, and one group is given the real drug, and the other group is given a fake drug with no active ingredient (placebo). But neither the patient nor the treating team knows who is getting the drug. This method allows us to measure the true effectiveness of the drug impartially.
So let's look at some of the results from this research. These show how much of a difference this can make in the lives of Alzheimer's patients.
| Key discovery | Description of the result |
|---|---|
| Symptoms not getting worse | 47% of those who took donanemab showed no increase in symptoms after a year, compared with only 29% of those who took the placebo. |
| Slowing down the disease | Compared to those who took the placebo, those who took Donanemab had a 35% reduction in the rate of disease worsening. |
| Ability to perform daily tasks | The ability to perform daily tasks such as dressing and making tea on your own has decreased by 40% . This is a great relief for both the patient and the family. |
| Risk of progression to the next stage of the disease | Those who took Donanemab had a 39% reduced risk of progressing to the next, more severe stage of the disease. |
| Brain amyloid levels | Even within a short period of 6 months after starting treatment, the levels of amyloid plaques in the patients' brains have decreased significantly. |
The study involved patients in the early stages of the disease. They were also classified according to their levels of tau, another protein that measures the severity of the disease. Surprisingly, even patients with more advanced disease and higher levels of tau have seen some benefit from the drug.
We are also aware of side effects.
As with any medication, there are some reported side effects. As we talk about hope, we need to be honest about these risks.
The main side effect seen with this drug is a condition called ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities) . Simply put, this is a temporary swelling or mini brain bleed in the brain. It is believed to be related to the process of removing the amyloid.
- 24% of people who took Donanemab developed brain swelling, but only 6% showed symptoms.
- Minor bleeding occurred in about 31% of patients (this also occurred in 14% of those who took the placebo).
The best part is that most of these ARIA conditions are mild or moderate and can be cured or stabilized with appropriate medical treatment.
However, we should not forget this fact either. Sadly, three deaths related to this ARIA condition have also been reported during this study. This shows us how very close medical supervision is essential when using such a powerful drug.
What do experts say about this?
Neurologists around the world are excited about these results. Some are saying, "We have now entered an era of treatment for Alzheimer's disease."
"After years of unsuccessful research, we are now getting consistent results showing that removing amyloid can change the course of the disease," one expert stated.
Another unique aspect of this drug is the way it is administered. Research has shown that once the harmful amyloid protein in the brain has been reduced to a certain level, the drug can be stopped . Treatment has been stopped in 52% of patients within a year and in 72% within 18 months. This is like "inducing remission" of the disease and observing it without treatment. This can be a big advantage for patients as well as in terms of the cost of treatment.
But some experts are still a little cautious. They say, "These results look very good, but we need to see the full data. There are significant side effects, and we need to know more about how they affect patients."
Take-Home Message
- Donanemab is not a cure for Alzheimer's disease, but it is a drug that significantly slows the progression of the disease, and offers great hope for the future.
- This works by removing harmful amyloid plaques that accumulate in the brain.
- This helps patients, especially in the early stages of the disease, maintain their memory and ability to perform daily tasks for a longer period of time.
- There is a risk of serious side effects such as brain swelling and small hemorrhages (ARIA). Therefore, if this treatment is undertaken, it must be done under very close medical supervision.
- This drug is still in the research stage. It will take some time before it is available for use in Sri Lanka. Therefore, if someone in your family is showing symptoms of Alzheimer's, the best thing to do is to see a qualified doctor as soon as possible and seek advice.
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න