Newly Diagnosed - Infusion Therapy?

LisaUH

Hi all, I am new to this group and am excited to learn from everyone! My Mom is 85 and recently diagnosed with "early stage" alz. The Neurologist is wanting an updated MRI, but feels that she is a good candidate for infusion therapy. Has anyone has experience with this?? She does very well (still drives and volunteers at church), but there are clear signs her memory and reasoning is not great.
Please let me know if anyone has had success with the infusion, and which drug.
Thanks!

M1

Hi Lisa. You're probably talking about leqembi. Results in older women have not been great so far. At 85 Id be hard pressed to put her through it. I don't think we've had anyone in her age group get treated with it yet.

Driving is a hot button topic here. You should put on your radar to potentially find other means of transportation for her. Not what you or she probably wants to hear, but better safe than sorry. At the very least, examine her car for unexplained dents and dings, and consider a formal driving evaluation.

Marta

Be aware that study participants who did well in the phase 3 trials with Leqembi tended to be healthier (outside of AD), male, and younger. Although people up to age 90 were eligible, you would want to consider what her life expectancy is at 85, without the infusions. People at age 85 can expect to live to 90. The average duration of AD in the general population is 3-11 years, surely towards the shorter end for someone 85 years old, even if they have no other serious medical conditions.

These are tough choices.

harshedbuzz

I'm starting the evaluation process with my own 86-year-old mom. Having been down this road with my dad, we were excited when Leqembi was initially approved. Further reading, including some perspective from a few of the specialists my dad had seen at the memory center left us both thinking it wasn't something in which we were interested.

The benefit, especially to women and POC, doesn't seem to be as great it is for younger, healthier white men. And the risks (brain bleeds, brain inflammation), inconvenience (an infusion every 2 weeks plus regular imaging to identify problems) and the costs (copays are close to $7000 yearly for the medication plus copays for the additional testing) all seem to negate the minimal benefit to the PWD.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/06/health/alzheimers-leqembi-medicare.html?unlocked_article_code=1.vE0.B8o1.78q0ojlvnGPp&smid=url-share

HB