Time-saved and time-invested with anti-amyloid treatments in early Alzheimer's disease: practical considerations

• Type: Another Publication in an International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Araújo, R (Author) FMUP; Carneiro, DR (Author) Other; Rato, RN (Author) Other; Massano, J (Author) Other

Journal

The Journal is awaiting validation by the Administrative Services.

Title: JOURNAL OF CLINICAL NEUROSCIENCE

ISSN: 0967-5868

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

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Other information

Authenticus ID: P-019-YXW

DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2025.111584

Abstract (EN): Anti-amyloid treatments for early Alzheimer's disease very effectively remove amyloid deposits from the brain and have shown an approximately 30 % less worsening in cognitive functions compared to placebo. Some additional metrics, such as time-saved, i.e. the additional time people may live independently, have been suggested to better inform patients and the general public about the benefits and risks of these medications. Some authors report 4-6 months, and others 10-13 months, depending on the treatment period, time of follow-up, and the methodology used. Taking into consideration that these drugs' regimens are monthly or bi-weekly intravenous infusions requiring clinical supervision, and the necessary brain MRIs for follow-up, we argue that the time spent travelling by the patients and their family members should also be taken into consideration when proposing anti-amyloid treatments, and specifically, when discussing the amount of time saved. In this study, we report that nearly half of the possible eligible patients for anti-amyloid treatments experience a reduction in motivation after receiving the information about the number of times required to come to the hospital, especially those travelling long distances (average time: 60 min for one-way). We propose a rough estimate for the additional time patients and their family members are likely to spend in these arrangements and suggest these additional calculations should be part of the decision-making process.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 4