The first medicine to directly interfere with the disease process
Early this week, a new anti-Alzheimer’s drug called Aducanumab made the entire scientific community stand up and take notice. It’s being hailed as the “game changer”, the “best news” from the dementia frontlines in 25 years and the next big step towards ridding the world of a disease that’s the most prevalent neuro-degenerative disorder in the world. According to the World Health Organisation, by 2025, 75 per cent of 1.2 billion people on the planet will be affected by the age of 65.
So why are Aducanumab’s claims so important Well, it’s the first first ever drug that's aiming to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. The scientists who were treating patients noted a substantial decrease in the dangerous amyloid plaques within the brain — a telltale sign of Alzheimer’s. Present-day scientists agree that a consistent reduction of amyloid plaques is a huge step forward. The dosage of the drug is 0.3 to 30 mg/kg via an intravenous route in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s. Experts have noted that higher the dose, better are the results. The outcome is then monitored for two years using MRI scans and Amyloid PET scans. The few side-effects include headaches, dizziness, diarrhoea and visual disturbances. But a majority of these side-effects are usually resolved.
The drug has also been put through a methodical test to determine its ability. Clinical trials are set to run until 2022 across 150 centers in North America, Europe and Asia. Initial results have been promising, especially minimal levels of cognitive impairment.
Aducanumab then, holds promise despite the sample size being small. If the drug’s efficacy is proven in larger trials, then we really have something to show here.
A Dr James Pickett from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “No existing treatments for Alzheimer’s directly interfere with the disease process, and so a drug that actually slows progress of the disease by clearing amyloid would be a significant step.”
The writer is a senior neurosurgeon based out of Hyderabad
