Aducanumab: can this drug really slow Alzheimer’s?
Quick answer
Aducanumab is a drug aimed at removing amyloid plaques, and news reports have called it the first drug that can slow Alzheimer’s. The claim is at a very early stage. It concerns a possible slowing of symptoms at much higher doses and earlier stages of diagnosis, and it makes no mention of stabilisation or reversal. The same drug had trials discontinued in March 2019 because of poor results.
You may have heard recently the news reports about the “first drug that can slow Alzheimer’s”.
The drug company Bigen says that it will “soon seek regulatory approval in the UK for the groundbreaking drug called aducanumab”
On looking further at this research , unfortunately it looks as though the drug company has yet again gone down this same path of focus of aiming to remove amyloid plaques. This is the same drug that the company discontinued trials on earlier in March 2019 because of the very poor results. This very early stage claim is that there may be a slowing of symptoms if the drug is given at much higher doses, at earlier stages of diagnosis , but there is no mention of stabilisation or reversal.
At CogMission working under Dr Dale Bredsen’s research findings, we are recognising that amyloid, rather than being the cause of decline, is a symptom of a system that is laying down protection in the brain due to some metabolic dysfunction, whether that be for vascular protection, protection from inflammation, from toxins or many other metabolic issues. It is now widely recognised that Alzheimer’s is not a single disease, but actually several different diseases or symptoms which is why it is incredibly difficult to find a simple “one pill” correction. Our focus is on correcting these metabolic irregularities with the aim of stabilisation and/or reversal as the body repairs.
Whenever we see a headline that has such a positive message for patients we always feel hopeful but unfortunately we need to see the focus move away from one pill to cure such a complicated disease process. Dr Bredesen’s 100 cases published in 2018 showed “sustained subjective and objective improvement in cognition”, and I’m quite sure this is the goal of every single person who has been diagnosed with this life changing condition.
https://www.apollohealthco.com/science/
Common questions
Is aducanumab the first drug to slow Alzheimer’s?
News reports have described it that way, and the drug company says it will seek UK regulatory approval. The claim is at a very early stage: a possible slowing of symptoms at much higher doses and earlier stages of diagnosis, with no mention of stabilisation or reversal.
Do amyloid plaques cause Alzheimer’s?
Working from Dr Dale Bredesen’s research findings, we at CogMission see amyloid not as the cause of decline but as a symptom. We view it as a system laying down protection in the brain because of metabolic dysfunction, such as protection from inflammation, toxins or vascular problems.
Why is there no single pill for Alzheimer’s?
It is now widely recognised that Alzheimer’s is not a single disease but several different diseases or symptoms. That makes a simple “one pill” correction incredibly difficult to find. We instead focus on correcting metabolic irregularities, aiming for stabilisation and/or reversal as the body repairs.
This article is for general information and isn’t a substitute for personal medical advice. Please speak to your GP (family doctor) or a qualified practitioner before making changes to medication or treatment.