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Carmel Armon, MD, co-director of Early Alzheimer’s Intervention Clinic is now meeting with patients to determine eligibility for latest Alzheimer's treatment.

Loma Linda University Health is excited to announce the availability of lecanemab, a revolutionary new treatment for Alzheimer's disease.

Lecanemab was recently granted traditional approval by the FDA and is designed to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease by targeting amyloid plaques in the brain. These plaques are believed to play a significant role in the development and progression of Alzheimer’s. Reducing them can help maintain cognitive function for a longer period.

How Lecanemab Works

Lecanemab is an antibody therapy that binds explicitly to amyloid-beta, a protein that forms plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's patients. By targeting and promoting the removal of these plaques, lecanemab helps to slow the decline in cognitive functions associated with Alzheimer's disease. This mechanism of action offers a new approach to treating this debilitating condition, aiming to maintain the quality of life for patients.

The drug is administered as a series of intravenous infusions every two weeks, each lasting approximately one hour. This regular schedule helps sustain cognitive function over time, maintaining the drug's therapeutic benefits. 

Eligibility for Lecanemab Treatment

Patients eligible for lecanemab treatment include those diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage Alzheimer's disease. To determine eligibility, the neurology team conducts a thorough evaluation, including a detailed medical history, cognitive assessments, and advanced imaging to confirm the presence of amyloid plaques.

"We are thrilled to provide lecanemab to our patients,” said Carmel Armon, MD, co-director of Early Alzheimer’s Intervention Clinic. “This medication represents a new era in Alzheimer's treatment, giving us the ability to slow the progression of this challenging disease. Our team is dedicated to offering the latest and most effective therapies to improve our patients' and their families' quality of life."

As the only medical center between Palm Springs and the coast offering this advanced therapy, the Loma Linda University Health Department of Neurology is pioneering Alzheimer's care within the region.

For more information about lecanemab and to determine if you or a loved one might be eligible for this treatment, please speak with your primary care provider about a referral to Neurology.