DONANEMAB

Source: IndianExpress

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Context

• Donanemab, a new therapy for Alzheimer’s disease developed by drug maker Eli Lilly, has received unanimous support from independent scientists advising the United States Food and Drug Administration (USFDA), bringing it a step closer to clinical use.

Details

• Prevalence: Alzheimer’s is one of the most common forms of dementia, with an estimated 5.3 million people affected in India. This number is expected to rise to 14 million by 2050.
• Development: Donanemab is a new monoclonal antibody therapy developed by Eli Lilly.

Benefits of Donanemab

• Target Group: Effective for individuals in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, such as those with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia.
• Slowing Disease Progression: The phase 3 study shows that donanemab can slow cognitive decline by 35.1% over 76 weeks.
• Mechanism: Targets amyloid beta protein deposits in the brain, which are associated with Alzheimer’s.

Risks and Side Effects

• ARIA Events: Includes amyloid-related imaging abnormalities such as brain bleeds and seizures. Most events are non-serious and resolve after discontinuing therapy.
• Brain Swelling and Bleeds: The study reported that 24% of participants experienced brain swelling, and 19.7% had brain bleeds.
• Fatalities: Three treatment-related deaths were reported in the study.

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Alzheimer’s disease 

Sources:

IndianExpress

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.  Discuss the socio-economic impact of dementia on individuals, families, and healthcare systems, and propose strategies for improving dementia care in developing countries like India. (150 Words)