Alzheimer’s disease presents significant challenges for individuals and their families, particularly during its early stages when cognitive decline begins to impact daily life.
The need for effective treatments is urgent as loved ones and caregivers seek ways to slow the progression of this debilitating condition.
Donanemab, recently approved under the trademark Kisunla™, represents a breakthrough in Alzheimer’s treatment.
This innovative drug targets the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s by focusing on beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are closely linked to the disease’s progression.
This article discusses how Donanemab works, its effectiveness, and how it compares to other treatments. At The Kensington Reston, we are committed to providing up-to-date information and leading-edge care to support Alzheimer’s patients.
What is Donanemab?
Donanemab (Kisunla™) is a newly approved drug designed to treat early Alzheimer’s disease. It works by targeting and clearing beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are believed to play a key role in the progression of Alzheimer’s.
This drug belongs to a class of treatments known as monoclonal antibodies, engineered to mimic the immune system’s ability to fight off harmful substances.
How Donanemab works to help Alzheimer’s brains
Donanemab focuses on beta-amyloid plaques, abnormal protein deposits that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. These plaques are associated with cognitive decline and memory loss.
Monoclonal antibodies like Donanemab are lab-created molecules designed to bind to specific targets—in this case, beta-amyloid plaques.
Donanemab helps the body’s immune system identify and remove them by attaching to these plaques.
By reducing the buildup of beta-amyloid plaques, Donanemab aims to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s, helping patients maintain their cognitive functions and daily activities longer.
Comparing Donanemab with other Alzheimer’s treatments
When looking at treatments for early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, it’s important to understand how different drugs compare.
Donanemab, Aducanumab, and Leqembi are three such treatments that target beta-amyloid plaques in the brain, which are believed to play a key role in Alzheimer’s progression.
Donanemab compared to Aducanumab
Both Donanemab and Aducanumab are monoclonal antibodies designed to target beta-amyloid plaques.
While they share this common goal, there are notable differences in how they achieve it.
- Donanemab targets a form of beta-amyloid known as N3pG
- Aducanumab targets aggregated forms of beta-amyloid
This difference in target specificity can influence their effectiveness and how quickly they work.
Advantages of Donanemab
- Donanemab slowed cognitive decline by 35% compared to a placebo
- Nearly half of the patients (47%) showed no disease progression after one year
While Aducanumab has also been effective in slowing cognitive decline, direct comparisons suggest that Donanemab might be more effective in specific measures, remarkably how quickly it clears beta-amyloid plaques.
Additionally, Aducanumab will be discontinued in 2024.
Donanemab compared with Leqembi
Leqembi is another monoclonal antibody used to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It also targets beta-amyloid plaques.
However, Leqembi binds to both oligomers and fibrils of beta-amyloid, potentially offering a broader approach to tackling plaque formation at various stages.
Clinical trials for Leqembi have shown that it significantly slows the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, similar to Donanemab.
The choice between Donanemab and Leqembi often depends on individual patient factors, such as:
- Their disease stage
- Progression rate
- Specific health conditions
Both treatments have shown efficacy in slowing down Alzheimer’s progression, but the best choice will vary based on each patient’s unique situation and medical history.
Donanemab, Aducanumab, and Leqembi
All treatments aim to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s by targeting beta-amyloid plaques.
However, Donanemab has shown particular promise in clinical trials, potentially offering some patients faster plaque clearance and more significant cognitive benefits.
Always consult with healthcare providers to determine the most suitable treatment option.
The safety profile of Donanemab
Donanemab, like many medications, comes with potential side effects.
In clinical trials, the most significant side effects observed were amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA). ARIA can manifest as temporary brain swelling (ARIA-E) or small brain hemorrhages (ARIA-H).
Incidence rates:
- ARIA-E occurred in about 24% of patients treated with Donanemab.
- ARIA-H occurred in approximately 31.4% of patients.
Most ARIA cases were mild to moderate and managed effectively with regular monitoring through MRI scans.
Only a small percentage of patients experienced serious reactions, which were significant enough to require careful management.
Infusion-related reactions were also reported in 8.7% of patients, though these were typically mild to moderate in severity.
How to access Donanemab treatment and costs
Accessing Donanemab involves several steps, starting with a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease with elevated beta-amyloid plaques.
This diagnosis typically requires diagnostic tests such as PET scans or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests.
Once diagnosed, patients can receive Donanemab through intravenous (IV) infusions, usually administered once every four weeks at specialized centers.
Insurance considerations:
- Medicare: Covers Donanemab if prescribed by physicians participating in a registry.
- Medicaid: May cover treatment, often handling co-insurance costs for eligible individuals.
- Private insurance: Coverage varies by provider and plan. Patients should check with their insurance companies for specific details.
Support systems:
- Donanemab copay assistance program: This program offers financial assistance to help manage the cost of treatment, which is approximately $32,000 per year.
Key takeaways on Donanemab
- Donanemab offers hope for slowing the progression of early Alzheimer’s disease.
- The drug targets and clears beta-amyloid plaques, helping to maintain cognitive functions.
- Compared to other treatments like Aducanumab and Leqembi, Donanemab shows promising efficacy and may work faster in some patients.
- Always consult healthcare providers to determine the most suitable treatment option based on individual needs.
The Kensington Reston: exceptional Alzheimer’s and memory care
Donanemab offers hope for those with early-stage Alzheimer’s by targeting beta-amyloid plaques in the brain. Research supports its benefits in slowing cognitive decline and improving quality of life.
The Kensington Reston is an assisted living and memory care community in Reston, Virginia.
We’re committed to educating caregivers and their loved ones about the latest in Alzheimer’s research and treatments.
Learn more about Connections and Haven, our specialized memory care neighborhoods for varying stages of memory loss.
Contact The Kensington Reston today for premiere Alzheimer’s and memory care.