Dementia medication 'Rekembi' begins prescription at Seoul Asan Medical Center

Good news for dementia patients

The dementia medication 'Rekembi' has reportedly begun to be prescribed at Seoul Asan Medical Center.

The target for Recambi application includes patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease to those in the early stages of dementia.

Since the appropriateness is evaluated through various tests before treatment, the decision to administer medication is made afterward.

If you have been interested in dementia beforehand and start taking prescribed medication from mild cognitive impairment onwards

It is said that the progression of dementia can be slowed down.

These days, many young people are also developing dementia, so if you notice symptoms of mild cognitive impairment, be sure to get tested.

Seoul Asan Medical Center announced on the 19th that it began prescribing the new early-stage Alzheimer's drug 'Leqembi (generic name: Lecanemab)' starting from the 16th.

Leqembi is an Alzheimer's treatment jointly developed by U.S. biotech company Biogen and Japanese company Eisai. It is known to slow the progression of the disease by removing amyloid beta proteins in the brain, which are one of the main causes of Alzheimer's disease. According to international clinical research results, approximately 68% of patients showed removal of amyloid beta proteins after taking Leqembi, and the rate of disease progression also decreased by an average of 27%.

In July 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officially approved Leqembi. Subsequently, in May of this year, the Korea Food and Drug Administration also granted approval for the product, leading to its release in Korea last month.

The target population for ReCEMBi includes patients with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease to early-stage dementia. After evaluating suitability through pre-treatment cognitive function tests, MRI scans, amyloid beta protein tests via PET or cerebrospinal fluid analysis, and APOE genotyping, the decision to administer the medication is made.

The medication is administered via intravenous injection every two weeks, with a total treatment duration of 18 months. Due to the nature of the disease, the goal is to suppress progression rather than cure, and regular MRI scans are necessary to prevent brain edema or hemorrhage after administration.

Professor Lim Jae-sung of the Neurology Department at Seoul Asan Medical Center said, "Rekembi is a treatment that offers a significant turning point for patients with early Alzheimer's disease," and added, "We will prioritize patient safety and treatment efficacy to open a new chapter in Alzheimer's disease management."

<Source: Health Chosun>

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Dementia medication 'Rekembi' begins prescription at Seoul Asan Medical Center