New Medicine Approved: Last week, the FDA fully approved Leqembi (lecanemab) to treat patients with the mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia stage of Alzheimer's Disease and confirmed presence of amyloid beta pathology. The drug works by reducing amyloid plaques that form in the brain, a defining pathophysiological feature of the disease. The monoclonal antibody is intended to be infused every 2 weeks. READ MORE
Support for Patients with Early Dementia: A referral to palliative care for patients with an early dementia diagnosis has been shown to improve patient outcomes. An early referral allows the team to see patients when they still have the cognitive capacity to express their concerns, hopes, values, and preferences for the kind of care they would or would not like to receive when their dementia advances to a stage where their quality of life would be unacceptable and they can no longer make decisions for themselves. The outstanding Palliative Care team provides the time, space, and opportunity for families and their caregivers to hear from the patient their limitations to care. To refer, call 231-935-5984 or send a referral through Cerner.