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cover of episode What It's Like Taking Alzheimer's Drugs

What It's Like Taking Alzheimer's Drugs

2025/3/3
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Short Wave
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D
Dr. Joyce Snyder
D
Dr. Lon Schneider
J
John Hamilton
M
Mayra Solano-Garcia
S
Sue Bell
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John Hamilton: 目前有两款获批药物用于治疗阿尔茨海默病，它们能清除β淀粉样蛋白，但对减缓症状的效果有限，且价格昂贵，并存在脑肿胀和出血等副作用，虽然罕见，但可能严重。许多患者愿意承担这些风险，因为阿尔茨海默病是一种致死性疾病。 Sue Bell: 我参加了利卡单抗的临床试验，起初药物似乎有所帮助，但随着病情进展，药物效果减弱，最终我们停止了治疗。虽然药物没有治愈我的疾病，但我希望我的参与能够帮助到其他人。 Dr. Joyce Snyder: 利卡单抗对部分患者有效，但对另一些患者无效，其疗效有限。尽管如此，它仍然代表了阿尔茨海默病治疗的重大进展。 Mayra Solano-Garcia: 我患有阿尔茨海默病，记忆力、数字和人名方面有困难。我参加了度奈单抗的临床试验，药物没有恢复我的记忆力，但减缓了病情恶化的速度。我即将完成治疗，但这并非治愈。 Dr. Lon Schneider: 目前尚不清楚度奈单抗的具体疗效，但该药能有效清除脑内β淀粉样蛋白斑块。新的疗法是在斑块降至正常水平后停止用药，如有必要再重新开始治疗。 Ken: 我的妻子Sue患有阿尔茨海默病，我们尝试了利卡单抗治疗，起初效果不错，但后来效果减弱，最终我们停止了治疗。现在她的病情已经严重到需要更多护理的地步。

Deep Dive

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This chapter introduces two new FDA-approved drugs for Alzheimer's, Lecanemab (brand name Leqembi) and Donanemab (brand name Kasmla). Both drugs aim to clear beta-amyloid plaques but have modest effectiveness in slowing down disease progression and carry risks like brain swelling and bleeding.
  • Two new Alzheimer's drugs, Lecanemab and Donanemab, are available.
  • Both drugs are administered intravenously and clear beta-amyloid plaques.
  • Effectiveness is modest, slowing decline by about a quarter or a third in studies.
  • Significant cost of over $25,000 per year.
  • Risk of brain swelling and bleeding, although rare.

Shownotes Transcript

There are now two fully approved drugs on the market that can, sometimes, slow down the progression of Alzheimer's disease. Both have been shown to slow down the mental decline of Alzheimer's by more than 25%. But that's in a group of patients—an individual may do much better, or not be helped at all. NPR Science Correspondent Jon Hamilton) has been talking to people who've taken these drugs. Today he has the story of two patients to receive them.*Interested in more human health stories? Contact us at [email protected]). Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave).*Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices)NPR Privacy Policy)