Aducanumab: The Latest Breakthrough for Alzheimer’s Treatment

Posted by Senior Solutions Management Group on Jul 15, 2021 8:00:00 AM | 3 minute read

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For decades, researchers have been trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, and they just got one step closer. While the latest breakthrough is not a cure, it is a revolutionary new treatment.

In addition to all the lifestyle choices and care options that we have discovered and developed that help manage Alzheimer’s disease, such as certain brain-healthy foods and stimulating the mind, the FDA has recently approved a new therapy to treat the disease.

As a memory care provider with communities throughout Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee, Senior Solutions Management Group is sharing what this new Alzheimer’s treatment entails and what it could mean for the future of the disease.

Newest Alzheimer’s Disease Breakthrough

What Is It and What Does It Do?

Aducanumab, the generic form of Aduhelm™ from Biogen, is our next step to finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. While this new therapy is not a cure in itself, it is the first therapy of its kind.

This historic new Alzheimer’s disease treatment is significant for two reasons. The first is that it is the first FDA-approved Alzheimer’s disease treatment since 2003. The second is that it is the first therapy in history to “address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s disease (Alzheimer’s Association).”

Previous Alzheimer’s disease therapies treated the symptoms of Alzheimer’s, lessening their impact on an individual’s everyday life. Aducanumab works to slow the progression of the disease by attacking and reducing the number of amyloid plaques that build up in the brain. Because of this, the aducanumab therapy could allow individuals to maintain their independence and remember significant moments and people for longer.

Who is Recommended to Receive this Treatment?

The FDA is not requiring any specific diagnostic testing; however, according to the label, aducanumab is meant for treating Alzheimer’s disease based on the presence of amyloid-beta plaques – which are required to receive an Alzheimer’s disease diagnosis. Essentially this means that an individual needs to have a physician confirm that they have amyloid plaques in their brain before they are prescribed this therapy.

This therapy is the first to “demonstrate that removing amyloid from the brain may delay cognitive and functional decline in people living with early Alzheimer’s (Alzheimer’s Association).” For this reason, aducanumab is recommended for those living with the early stages of the disease, another reason why early detection and diagnosis are essential to preventing the progression of the condition.

The Alzheimer’s Association also states that “there is no evidence that aducanumab can restore lost memories or cognitive function,” but the sooner an individual receives the treatment, the more benefits they will likely receive from it.

How and Where is Aducanumab Administered?

“Aducanumab is administered intravenously (IV) via a 45- to 60-minute infusion every four weeks (Alzheimer’s Association).” This infusion can be administrated in hospitals, infusion therapy centers, or even at an individual’s home by a specialized nurse.

Since the FDA has recently approved this therapy, nationwide distribution and implementation will take some time. However, if you or a loved one is experiencing memory changes or has recently been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, speak to your physician about aducanumab as a potential future treatment option.

Guide to Alzheimer's and Dementia Care eBook-Senior Solutions Management Group

Our Memory Care Communities: The Retreat

The memory care services provided at The Retreat, our memory care neighborhood, provide residents with a supportive, engaging experience. Our care teams work with residents to offer an individualized care experience. Housekeeping, dining services, and wellness programs are just a few of the services in our safe and inviting communities. Our mission is to improve the quality of life of every individual we serve.

Senior Solutions Management Group knows that the care we provide is meaningful. We’re dedicated to enriching the lives of each and every resident in our memory care communities. We host support groups and share industry resources with families and friends so they can stay informed and support their loved ones. When the senior in your life is living in our community, you can be certain that they are cared for and pampered.

To learn more about our memory care communities throughout Georgia, Louisiana, South Carolina, and Tennessee, we invite you to contact a member of the Senior Solutions Management Group team.

Topics: Memory Care, Alzheimer's and Dementia

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