FDA limits use of new dementia drug Aduhelm to mild cognitive impairment only
The FDA’s new label restricts Aduhelm’s use to Alzheimer’s patients with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia, drugmaker Biogen announced Thursday.
Alzheimer’s Research
AMDA: Don’t prescribe Aduhelm to long-term care residents without more testing
“It is our responsibility to resist the urge to prescribe a potentially dangerous and ineffective medication that is untested in our population, even if it has FDA approval,” the LTC physician’s organization said Wednesday.
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, June 29
Telehealth used in only 13% of Medicare clinician visits during pandemic … House leaders to investigate FDA approval and price of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s drug … Early study of mRNA flu vaccine prompted by COVID shots’ success … Arkansas beats neighboring states in LTC resident, staff vaccinations … Cognitive dysfunction better predicts residents’ post-acute outcomes than dementia diagnosis … Common antacids may improve glycemic control but don’t prevent diabetes onset
Clinical briefs for Monday, June 28
To save itself, Medicare could deny coverage of controversial new Alzheimer’s drug, expert predicts … Aduhelm most appropriate for early dementia, MCI, experts say … Eli Lilly to seek early approval for its Alzheimer’s drug donanemab … Elders’ life expectancy shouldn’t top list of cancer screening priorities: study … Overlooked question on new Alzheimer’s drug: When should patients stop taking it? … Workers at 12 PA nursing homes cite sick time rules as part of vote to strike … NIH studying COVID immunity in vaccinated pregnant women and their infants … Leading clinician groups affirm COVID vaccine safety after heart inflammation findings
Clinical briefs for Thursday, June 17
Chatbots for dementia still in their infancy, tech researchers find … What to know about new Alzheimer’s drug Aduhelm, from scientist who led the trials … Advocacy group urges OIG to investigate FDA’s approval of new Alzheimer’s drug … First patient receives controversial Biogen Alzheimer’s drug at hospital … LTC care needs will double by 2065 … FDA approves Novartis’ drug for aggressive prostate cancer following positive trial results
Criticism, confusion and hope: new Alzheimer’s drug receives messy welcome
Clinicians’ responses to the controversial approval of Aduhelm range between excitement and disapproval, with questions abounding on how to advise patients on treatment and the cost to patients and Medicare.
Clinical briefs for Monday, June 14
3 FDA advisory panel members resign in wake of controversial approval of new Alzheimer’s drug … U.S. suspends COVID J&J vaccine shipments as backlog builds; extends expiration dates … VoiceFriend adds new discharged patient module for post-acute care … Computerized tests show how poorly fitting N95 masks increase risk of infection … FDA recalls unapproved COVID test that used falsified data … Parkinson’s drug candidates to be targeted to genetic groups in new Abbie biopharma collaboration
Clinical briefs for Friday, June 11
CMS starts posting nursing home vaccination rates … New OSHA standard requires paid time off for vaccination, COVID case tracking and notification … US extends expiration dates for J&J COVID vaccine by 6 weeks … Dementia expert says evidence behind Biogen Alzheimer’s drug ‘wasn’t sufficient’ for FDA approval … America’s nursing homes fight to find enough caregivers … Nurse claims nursing home fired her for whistleblowing over lax COVID-19 control
FDA approves first drug to slow Alzheimer’s in controversial decision
The evidence convincingly shows that aducanumab (Aduhelm) removes beta amyloid — a hallmark of Alzheimer’s — from the brain, slowing the disease’s progression and giving patients and families much-needed hope, FDA says. But long-term care clinicians are not keen on the drug, with some saying they will not prescribe it.
Low-dose brain radiation improves behavior, cognition in Alzheimer’s pilot study
Low-dose ionizing radiation may be a promising, although possibly controversial, therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, according to the researchers behind a small new pilot study.
