Regulators in the United States have approved a new dementia treatment for the first time in 20 years, paving the way for its use in the UK. The drug, ‘Aducanumab’ targets the underlying cause of Alzheimer’s. This is different to most other treatments which only target the symptoms.

According to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there was “substantial evidence that aducanumab reduces amyloid beta plaques in the brain” and that this “is reasonably likely to predict important benefits to patients”. With this news, at least 100,000 people in the UK with a mild form of the disease could be suitable for the drug if it were to be approved by the UK regulator. US manufacturer, Biogen, also analysed data and concluded it significantly slowed cognitive decline when given in higher doses.

When using aducanumab for dementia treatment it targets the protein amyloid. This forms abnormal clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and it can damage cells and trigger dementia. Symptoms of dementia include:

  • memory loss
  • difficulty concentrating
  • finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping
  • struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word
  • being confused about time and place
  • mood changes

More than 30 million people around the world are thought to have Alzheimer’s, with most aged over 65. For around 500,000 people affected in the UK, those eligible for aducanumab will be mostly in their 60s or 70s and at an early stage of the disease.

Specialist Dementia Care

At Stanfield Nursing Home, many of our residents are people living with Alzheimer’s or one of the other forms of dementia. As a result, we understand how important specialist dementia care is for those who are experiencing the disease.

As one of Worcestershire’s leading dementia care homes, we have a team of highly trained dementia care specialists. This means we can provide the very best in specialist dementia care to help in the best ways possible.

Enabling our residents to lead as independent lives as possible is part of our nursing home’s core philosophy. However, this is no different for our residents suffering from dementia. In fact, our specialist team is there to help them to attain this. They are also there to be there when extra support is needed.

Contacting Stanfield Nursing Home

You can find out more information on the new US dementia treatment on the BBC website. For more information on our specialist dementia care, then head to our website today. You can also stay up-to-date with all our care home news on our social media. Alternatively, you can call 01905 420 459 to speak to a member of our helpful and friendly team.

 

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