VA Boston treats first Alzheimer’s patient with new anti-amyloid
PRESS RELEASE
October 20, 2023
BOSTON , MA — An interprofessional team at VA Boston Healthcare System successfully initiated treatment with a new medication for a patient with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023.
Dr. Andrew Budson, chief of Cognitive Behavioral Neurology at VA Boston, professor of neurology at Boston University Chobanian & Avedisian School of Medicine, and associate director of the BU Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, established the team of neurologists, geriatricians, radiologists, physician assistants, nurses, pharmacists and trainees, and began weekly meetings in May 2023. The team worked together to create patient handouts and documentation templates, as well as systems and processes to allow lecanemab – brand name Leqembi – to be administered safely, in accordance with guidance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and national VA criteria for use.
“This is a momentous day for all Veterans with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease and their families,” said Budson. “For the first time we can do more than just treat the symptoms. Now we can actually remove the amyloid plaques that lead to Alzheimer’s disease.” Budson explained that, although this won’t stop the disease, studies show it can significantly slow it down.
The first patient experienced no adverse events from the infusion and is doing well. He will return every-other week for additional infusions. The patient will also be monitored by magnetic resonance imaging – known as MRI – scans periodically to look for any sign of brain side effects related to the medication.