University Hospitals (UH) Brain Health & Memory Center is now administering KISUNLA™ (donanemab), a newly FDA-approved medication for Alzheimer’s disease. UH is the only health system in Northeast Ohio currently providing these treatments.
Donanemab has demonstrated promise in clinical trials as a treatment option for patients experiencing mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. The medication is designed to target and remove beta-amyloid plaques, which are abnormal protein buildups in the brain associated with Alzheimer's.
Mechanism and Administration
"People with Alzheimer’s disease have an abnormal buildup of plaques in their brain that contain a protein called beta-amyloid. Donanemab is an intravenous medication designed to target and remove these plaques," explained Rajeet Shrestha, MD, psychiatrist at UH Neurological Institute and assistant professor at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine. "As the second FDA-approved treatment to address the potential underlying cause of Alzheimer’s, donanemab therapy has the potential to slow cognitive and functional decline if started in the early stages of the disease."
Donanemab is administered via intravenous infusion every four weeks, with each infusion lasting approximately 30 minutes. Following each infusion, patients are monitored for about 30 minutes to ensure they do not experience any adverse reactions. The total duration of treatment varies depending on the individual patient's response; some patients may be able to discontinue treatment after six months, while others may require treatment for up to 12 or 18 months.
Patient Eligibility and Monitoring
Mohamed Elkasaby, MD, neurologist at UH Neurological Institute, and Assistant Professor of Neurology at Case Western Reserve School of Medicine, stated, "At University Hospitals, we provide comprehensive disease management for our patients including access to the latest treatments available for Alzheimer’s disease. Patients with symptoms of early Alzheimer’s and the confirmed presence of beta-amyloid plaques in the brain may be eligible for treatment with donanemab."
To determine eligibility for donanemab treatment, patients undergo a comprehensive evaluation that includes:
- Comprehensive personal and family medical history
- Mental status tests
- Physical and neurological exams
- Blood tests
- Spinal tap to analyze cerebrospinal fluid
- MRI of the brain
- PET scan of the brain to detect beta-amyloid plaques
Potential Side Effects
Donanemab can cause side effects, some of which may be serious. Patients receiving donanemab therapy are closely monitored at regular intervals, as determined by their physician. Regular brain MRIs, EKGs, and lab tests are conducted to monitor for ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities) and other potential serious side effects.
Additional Treatment Options
University Hospitals also offers LEQEMBI® (lecanemab) as another FDA-approved treatment option for Alzheimer’s disease.
