Dear Abby: After decades of research, I'm excited about recent major advances in treatment for people who already have symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. I hope that one day we will be able to prevent people from developing memory loss and dementia.
Changes in the brain, including the accumulation of toxic proteins into amyloid plaques, begin up to 20 years before a person notices any symptoms. This “asymptomatic” stage may be the best time to test treatments aimed at delaying or preventing symptoms before they begin.
This is why we are conducting the AHEAD study, a clinical trial of lecanemab, an FDA-approved drug for mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The AHEAD study is testing whether starting lecanemab in patients with amyloid plaques before symptoms start can help prevent cognitive decline.
As a neurologist, clinical researcher, and someone who has treated Alzheimer's disease in my own family, I am grateful to see these advances in our field. But Abby, we need your help, Abby, to test these promising drugs before the devastating symptoms of Alzheimer's disease appear. If you are interested in AHEAD research, please call 800-243-2370 or visit: AHEADstudy.org To prevent Alzheimer's disease. — Leisa Sperling, MD, Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School
Dear Dr. Sparring: Thank you for your letter. Dear Reader, More than 6 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease. Altering the course of the disease before symptoms appear is an important scientific endeavor. Clinical trials hold the key to new and better treatments for Alzheimer's disease.
More than 180 clinical trials require approximately 55,000 volunteers. In addition to the AHEAD study, the Alzheimer's Association offers TrialMatch, a free service that connects people with dementia, their caregivers, and healthy volunteers with clinical trials. Clinical trial volunteers are key to better treatments, prevention strategies, and future treatments for Alzheimer's disease.visit trialmatch.alz.org Or call 800-272-3900 for more information.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Dear Abby, contact: www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
