BONITA
SPRINGS, Fla., July 17,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Since last year, Memory
Treatment Centers (MTC) has been a leading provider of the novel
Alzheimer's treatment, Leqembi, providing hundreds of
patients with the first-ever proactive approach to treating and
preventing progression of the disease. Now, MTC continues to
innovate in neurocognitive care by giving Alzheimer's disease (AD)
patients additional treatment options. Through its national network
of partners with Pure Infusion Suites, MTC is now offering access
to the recently FDA-approved therapy, Kisunla (donanemab).
Memory Treatment Centers is excited to be
one of the first to administer Alzheimer's medication, Kisunla
(Donanemab).
"The full traditional FDA approval of Donanemab not only
marks the advent of a new class of disease modifying therapy but
signifies the neurodegenerative community's dedication to changing
the way we view and treat Alzheimer's disease" encouraged Dr.
Samuel Giles of Memory Treatment
Centers Jacksonville. "We feel we have momentum towards offering
true hope to our Alzheimer's patients and caregivers and note the
ongoing cohesive collaborations between clinicians, researchers,
biotech and pharmaceutical organizations is at an all-time
high."
Kisunla: A Second Option to Treat Alzheimer's
On July 2nd, the FDA
granted a long-anticipated approval of Kisunla (Donanemab),
marking the start of a new class of drugs designed to tackle
beta-amyloid buildup in those with AD.
The FDA was expected to decide in March but delayed approval to
gain more insight from the advisory panel about potential side
effects. The treatment is associated with amyloid related imaging
abnormalities (ARIA) which is a consequence of plaques being
removed. The FDA advisory panel voted unanimously on the efficacy
of Kisunla for the treatment of early AD.
While ARIA-related side effects were observed in a minority of
patients, serious complications occurred in only 1.6% of people.
With Alzheimer's leading to reliance on caregivers, eventual
fatality, and 13 million expected to be diagnosed by 2050, the
ability to target a root cause of cognitive decline vastly
outweighed the risk of side effects.
MTC has reported no issues thus far in administering
Kisunla. The clinical team understands the risks of ARIA and
is working tirelessly to ensure patient safety. Clinics are using
the most up to date imaging techniques and indicators, such as
blood-based biomarkers, to assess patients' disease progression and
response to therapy.
While Kisunla is similar to the treatment Leqembi,
Kisunla is the only amyloid-plaque targeting therapy that uses
a limited duration treatment cycle. The treatment is given as a
biologic infusion every four weeks. It can be stopped once
amyloid-plaque levels reach a certain threshold. Some patients were
able to stop treatment after only six months, with most patients
ending treatment by the 18-month mark.
The advent of Kisunla creates exciting opportunities in
determining which preventative treatments are most effective for
certain patients based on factors like genetics, disease
progression, and age. More treatment options also allow for a
collaborative approach to healthcare.
"The ability to now have therapeutic options to
choose from allows for improved patient/provider shared decision
making. We've seen our patients and caregivers want to be
informed about their disease and available therapeutics, and
we now will be able to provide more guidance"
stated Dr. Donald McCarren of
MTC in Bonita Springs.
Who is considered a good candidate for Kisunla?
Specific factors that may decide if Kisunla or
Leqembi is more effective in certain segments are being
continually evaluated and will require more time before key
insights are known. However, Kisunla initially offers
comparable results with a less disruptive treatment schedule, and
for some may be more efficacious.
While Leqembi requires continual infusions every two
weeks, Kisunla is infused once a month and can be stopped
when amyloid levels are low enough. Research has shown that it may
take up to four years for amyloid plaque levels to reappear in
which patients will be re-dosed at that time.
This type of medicine does not restore previous levels of
cognitive function, it only slows the progression of cognitive
decline by reducing amyloid plaques. Therefore, it is crucial that
treatment begins as early as possible.
Dr. Jamie Plante of Memory
Treatment Centers Bonita Springs
added "We have just begun to explore the real-world longitudinal
benefits with these therapies and identify who best will be served
by each. Through continued clinical and academic evaluation, we are
excited to learn more about managing the disease process from a
preventative standpoint."
To be approved for treatment, patients must be evaluated by a
healthcare provider for either mild dementia, or mild cognitive
impairment (MCI), a precursor state to Alzheimer's dementia.
Patients with moderate or severe Alzheimer's dementia are
unfortunately not eligible for this therapy, due to the
preventative nature of treatment.
Cognitive Impairment: Signs and Symptoms of Cognitive
Impairment
Cognitive impairment is often signaled by minor changes in
memory and communication. Changes in lifestyle are also common,
like ability to maintain work duties, social relationships, or keep
routines.
Many people with early cognitive impairment (mild cognitive
impairment) continue to work and socialize as usual but begin
to note a slight difference in their ability to manage daily life.
Family or friends may notice these differences as well.
As cognitive function declines, an individual may progress from
MCI to more advanced stages of dementia. Several factors contribute
to the development of MCI and dementia which underscores the
critical role of a comprehensive neurocognitive assessment to
diagnose early symptomatic AD timely and accurately.
What Type of Specialist Diagnose Cognitive Impairment,
Dementia, and Alzheimer's Disease?
Despite a vast majority of physicians acknowledging the
importance of diagnosing AD in the earliest stages of MCI and
mild dementia, making an accurate early diagnosis is no easy
task.
A Neurologist specializing in neurocognitive medicine has the
ideal skills necessary to evaluate patients for MCI. Unfortunately,
a mere fraction (~5%) of Neurologists specialize in neurocognitive
medicine, posing substantial barriers to timely evaluation and
care.
As the annual incidence of AD continues to rise, this presents a
critical challenge to our healthcare system at large. This results
in costly delayed diagnoses which will severely limit the
effectiveness of the new preventative treatments.
Dr. Robert Mannel of Memory
Treatment Centers Jacksonville added "We are moving towards
being able to determine which therapeutics are most likely to be
the most efficacious based on genetic factors, symptomatic disease
stage and age. We are thrilled about the most recent approval with
Donanemab and look forward to additional therapeutics coming down
the pipeline in the near future".
Where can I be evaluated for MCI, mild dementia, AD, and
treatment?
Patients affected by cognitive impairment from early symptomatic
AD and who may qualify for a preventative treatment like
Kisunla can generally undergo neurocognitive evaluations via
telehealth from anywhere in the US. If you're in Florida, please visit one of the MTC
facilities.
At MTC, we provide comprehensive evaluations via our
neurocognitive specialists to assess the presence of cognitive
impairment. We also utilize up-to-date biomarker testing to
pinpoint the diagnosis. Our goal is to thoroughly evaluate and
accurately diagnose our patients in a comfortable, streamlined, and
friendly environment. Through this process, we can design a care
plan that reflects each individual patient and family's goals and
wishes.
All of us at MTC are dedicated to bringing hope and relief to
patients with all types of cognitive impairment, including
Alzheimer's Disease. If you or a loved one are interested in
finding out if Kisunla or Leqembi is right for you,
we are accepting new patients and are eager to assist you on your
journey to better health.
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SOURCE Memory Treatment Centers