Alzheimer's Disease

Heart disease continues to stand as the leading global cause of death, but there has been a rapid rise in brain disease-related deaths, and risk factors for both are similar, according to an American Heart Association report.

The FDA granted breakthrough device designation to Amprion for its SYNTap Test, which detects a distinct protein as an indicator of Alzheimer’s disease with Lewy bodies, according to a news release.

The FDA has granted breakthrough device designation to Diadem U.S. Inc. for AlzoSure Predict, its blood-based test for early prediction of Alzheimer’s disease.

CMS has proposed a National Coverage Determination decision memorandum specifying “coverage with evidence development” for FDA-approved monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid for treating Alzheimer’s disease.

Healio Neurology’s most-viewed stories from 2021 highlight developments surrounding Aduhelm, the benefits of flavonoid on cognitive function and neurologic symptoms in COVID-19.

Healio Psychiatry’s five most-viewed stories of the year highlight a study on omega-3 supplementation and stress-related accelerated aging, research into the benefits of cannabidiol for frontline health care workers and data on the link between OCD and increased risk for dementia/Alzheimer’s disease.

The FDA has granted fast track designation for lecanemab, an investigational antiamyloid beta protofibril antibody used for treatment of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.

Biogen Inc. and Eisai Co. Ltd. announced plans to submit their phase 4 protocol for Aduhelm to the FDA in March 2022.

Phase 3 studies of Aduhelm showed amyloid-related imaging abnormalities among approximately 40% of participants, according to study results published in JAMA Neurology.

Brigham and Women’s Hospital will soon commence a clinical trial to test the first nasally administered treatment intended to arrest the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a press release.