Episode 53: Alzheimer’s Drug… Was it Approved or Not? …I Can’t Remember

There are few things more terrifying than considering the possibility of developing Alzheimer’s towards the end of one’s life. With modern medicine the way it is there could be little doubt we’ve made great advances in the treatment of this disease. So it might surprise you to hear that the recent Biogen news means that the FDA has approved the first drug for the treatment of Alzheimer’s in twenty years. Turns out, though, that’s not actually what makes it such big news. Join hosts Shanti and Danny as we talk about what’s going on with aducanumab, Biogen, and some strange moves by the FDA.

Lovelace, B.; Third Member of the Prestigious FDA Panel Resigns Over Approval of Biogen’s Alzheimer’s Drug. CNBC. 10-Jun-2021.  https://www.cnbc.com/2021/06/10/third-member-of-prestigious-fda-panel-resigns-over-approval-of-biogens-alzheimers-drug.html

Knopman, D., et. al.; Failure to Demonstrate Efficacy of Aducanumab: An Analysis of the EMERGE and ENGAGE Trials as Reported by Biogen, December 2019. Alzheimer’s & Dementia. 10-Nov-2020. 17:4 (696 – 701). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12213

Shankar, G., et. al.; Amyloid B-Protein Dimers Isolated Directly from Alzheimer Brains Impair Synaptic Plasticity and Memory. Nature Medicine. 22-Jun-2008. 14:8 (837 – 842). Doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nm1782