Breaking Barriers with Aducanumab: Examining Alzheimer's Treatments and Implications for Patients
by Zoe E. Green, 2025 PharmD Candidate, Elena M. Hofbauer, 2025 PharmD Candidate, Riley Q. Hall, 2025 PharmD Candidate, Brandon B. Johnson, 2025 PharmD Candidate
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of patients worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited. Foryears, the mainstay of treatment has been cholinesterase inhibitors to increase concentrations of acetylcholine to stabilize cognitive function. Aducanumab (Aduhelm®) is a newly approved medication that targets beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of the disease. However, its approval has been surrounded by controversy, ultimately leaving a consensus on the medication’s efficacy in question. Excessive costs and adverse reactions associated with treatment also have significant implications for patients and their caregivers. The purpose of this piece is to review current treatment recommendations for Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the recently approved monoclonal antibodies.
Keywords: Aducanumab, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Acetylcholine, Caregivers, Plaque, Amyloid, Cholinesterases
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2023 May/June Table of Contents
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions of patients worldwide, yet treatment options remain limited. Foryears, the mainstay of treatment has been cholinesterase inhibitors to increase concentrations of acetylcholine to stabilize cognitive function. Aducanumab (Aduhelm®) is a newly approved medication that targets beta-amyloid plaques, a hallmark of the disease. However, its approval has been surrounded by controversy, ultimately leaving a consensus on the medication’s efficacy in question. Excessive costs and adverse reactions associated with treatment also have significant implications for patients and their caregivers. The purpose of this piece is to review current treatment recommendations for Alzheimer’s disease, focusing on the recently approved monoclonal antibodies.
Keywords: Aducanumab, Antibodies, Monoclonal, Cholinesterase Inhibitors, Amyloid beta-Peptides, Acetylcholine, Caregivers, Plaque, Amyloid, Cholinesterases
Download PDF
2023 May/June Table of Contents