Donanemab: A New Hope Against Alzheimers

What is Alzheimers?

Alzheimer's disease is a serious condition that affects the brain. It usually starts slowly but gets worse over time, making it hard for people to remember things, think clearly, and even do simple daily tasks. Imagine trying to do your homework but forgetting what the questions were about or not recognizing your best friend – that's what life can be like for someone with Alzheimer's.

It all starts with amyloid plaques that occur within the aged brain. As time goes on, the molecule tau starts to form tangles which can increase oxidative stress and cause brain inflammation.

Enter Donanemab:

Meet Donanemab, a new drug that scientists are using as a helper designed to clean up the brain. Recently, FDA has approved the donanemab treatment for Alzheimer’s patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of disease. But what exactly does it do? Let’s break it down.

Donanemab is given as a monthly IV infusion that helps in slowing the Alzheimer’s progression and consistent decline in memory. This infusion specifically targets the amyloid plaques within the amygdala and hippocampus of the brain.

Imagine your brain as a busy city. Now, think of amyloid plaques as piles of trash that block the roads and make it hard for traffic (your brain signals) to move smoothly. Donanemab acts like a super-efficient garbage truck, picking up and clearing away the trash so that everything can flow smoothly again. It helps the body remove the buildup caused from the amyloid molecules and has shown the most significant results in patients with mild dementia stage of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Understanding Side Effects

A common side effect that occurred in about 10% of patients was headaches and swelling within the brain. Some serious effects include allergic reactions causing swelling of the lips or face. If you witness any other side effects, call your doctor immediately! Have a conversation with your doctor or healthcare provider for the best advice! While the risk of bleeding within the brain remains, Donanemab has shown notable improvements in reducing the amyloid progression and increased the retention of memory.

Bigger Picture

Alzheimer's disease affects millions of people worldwide, including some of your grandparents or older relatives. By learning about new treatments like Donanemab, you’re getting a glimpse into the amazing world of medical research and how it can change lives. Science is all about asking questions and finding answers. Whether it's about the brain, space, or the environment, there’s always something new to learn.

Remember, the next time you hear about Alzheimer's or see someone affected by it, know that scientists are working hard to find solutions. And who knows? Maybe one day, you’ll be the one making the next big discovery!

Citations

“Amyloid Structure Linked to Different Types of Alzheimer’s Disease.” National Institute on Aging, 2 June 2022, www.nia.nih.gov/news/amyloid-structure-linked-different-types-alzheimers-disease.

Belluck, Pam. “New Drug Approved for Early Alzheimer’s.” The New York Times, 2 July 2024, www.nytimes.com/2024/07/02/health/alzheimers-treatment-kisunla-donanemab.html.

Morrison, Cassidy . “Patients’ Anguish as FDA Delays Decision to Approve Eli Lilly’s “Life-Changing” Alzheimer’s Drug - due to Concerns about Deadly Side Effects and How Medicine Was Tested.” Www.msn.com, 8 Mar. 2024, www.msn.com/en-sg/health/other/patients-anguish-as-fda-delays-decision-to-approve-eli-lilly-s-life-changing-alzheimer-s-drug-due-to-concerns-about-deadly-side-effects-and-how-medicine-was-tested/ar-BB1jzc8L. Accessed 10 July 2024.

Wall, J.K. “Lilly’s KisunlaTM (Donanemab-Azbt) Approved by the FDA for the Treatment of Early Symptomatic Alzheimer’s Disease | Eli Lilly and Company.” Eli Lilly and Company, 2023, investor.lilly.com/news-releases/news-release-details/lillys-kisunlatm-donanemab-azbt-approved-fda-treatment-early.

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