Tag Archives: Alzheimer’s

Health, Medical, Research

New Alzheimer’s drug offers hope to sufferers

DEMENTIA/ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE

THE first new pharmaceutical drug for Alzheimer’s in almost two decades has won approval in the United States – raising hopes that the drug could soon be used in the UK.

Aducanumab targets the cause of the disease rather than its symptoms.

Medical and health charities have welcomed the announcement, describing its approval as a “major milestone” for the millions of people living with dementia. But scientists are divided because of the uncertainty over trial results.

The US Food and Drug Administration said there was “substantial evidence that aducanumab reduces amyloid beta plaques”. Amyloid is a protein that forms clumps in the brain that can damage cells and trigger dementia. Aducanumab works by sticking to these clumps and removing them.

However, late-stage international trials of the treatment in 2019, involving about 3,000 patients, were halted when analysis showed the drug was no better at slowing the deterioration of memory than a placebo. Following further analysis, manufacturer Biogen said the drug did work and significantly slowed cognitive decline if given in higher doses.

Biogen have not released the cost of the treatment, but analysts estimate it could cost up to £35,000 a year. Tens of thousands of Britons with a mild form of the disease could be suitable for the drug if it were to be approved here.

Professor Bart De Strooper, director the UK Dementia Research Institute, said: “With no effective therapies currently available to modify the progression of this devastating condition, this is a major milestone for the millions of people living with Alzheimer’s. However, I fear the controversy and uncertainty surrounding the trials will limit the impact of this new treatment for the disease.”

A spokesperson for the research department at the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s promising to see that aducanumab has been approved for use in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease – the first drug to be approved in nearly 20 years by the US regulatory authorities.

“We await the opinion of the European Medicines Agency and the outcome of any application made to the UK regulatory authorities, to give clarity to people with early Alzheimer’s disease in the UK. Whatever the outcome of their decision, this is just the beginning of the road to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.”

Another health charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, said it had written to UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock asking the Government to prioritise the fast-track approval process for the drug in the UK.

Its chief executive, Hilary Evans, said: “People with dementia and their families have been waiting far too long for life-changing new treatments.”

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Health, Medical, Society

New medical guidelines for dementia patients

DEMENTIA

DOCTORS have been instructed to recognise the “human value” of patients with dementia as part of a major overhaul of care.

Dementia patients should be treated as individuals, have a say in their care and not face discrimination for their age or the severity of the illness, new guidelines say.

While there is currently no cure for dementia, the guidelines stress the importance of diagnosis so that patients and their families can prepare for the future and start treatments to slow its advance. This includes giving patients a controversial spinal tap when doctors are unsure whether they have dementia.

. See also Research reveals a healthy diet helps to stave off dementia

Charities have welcomed the care blueprint but warned that substantial investment would be needed to implement the measures, which include appointing dementia “champions” to advise patients and their families on the care available.

A spokesperson from the Alzheimer’s Society, said: “It’s encouraging to see the steps it’s taking to ensure the needs and rights of people with dementia are met. However, the guideline is just a starting point. What we need now is support to implement these recommendations.”

Recent figures suggest a million Britons are living with dementia. This is expected to double by 2051 due to the ageing population and obesity, which raises the risk of the condition.

Health watchdog NICE drew up the new advice – the first changes to healthcare guidance in a decade – to improve the postcode lottery of care on the NHS following concerns that dementia patients were being failed across the UK.

Ofsted-style ratings carried out in 2016 found that 57 per cent of health boards were giving patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s inadequate care.

Officials found some patients were never diagnosed with dementia, while many of those who were did not receive a check-up for 12 months. Last year, a major study found hundreds of thousands of Britons had dementia but did not know because they were never given a formal diagnosis in case it made them anxious.

For the first time, the guidelines urge doctors to carry out a spinal tap – using a needle to extract spinal fluid from patients whose diagnosis is unclear. However, the procedure is uncomfortable, sometimes painful, and can cause side-effects such as severe headaches and infections.

Other changes include a recommendation for more training for staff such as carers at home, in care homes and GPs to better support people living with dementia. The guidance says people with dementia and their carers should be assigned a health or social care professional to co-ordinate treatment, rather than being left to navigate the options themselves.

Initial assessments should include recording a history – including cognitive, behavioural and psychological symptoms – and how it affects daily life.

This should either come from the patient or a spouse, loved one or carer who knows them well, it recommends.

Alzheimer’s Research UK said: “We’re very happy to see the NICE guidelines give additional attention to how health professionals can help people with dementia get involved in research.”

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