As a result of clinical trial analysis, side effects were found… Including FDA-approved drugs
Claims have been raised that the brain can shrink as a side effect of Alzheimer’s drugs. The Melbourne University research team came to this conclusion by analyzing 31 previously conducted clinical trials.
The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not clear, but it is known that the main cause is the accumulation of an abnormal protein called beta amyloid (Aβ) in the brain. Alzheimer’s treatment has been developed in the direction of removing this beta-amyloid protein.
The researchers confirmed the possibility that this treatment might rather shrink the brain. The treatment is divided into △a type that inhibits the enzyme that makes beta-amyloid and △a type that directly removes beta-amyloid. In the clinical trials analyzed by the researchers, cases were found in which both types affected brain shrinkage.
The treatment, ‘recanemab’, belongs to the second type. When comparing the test group administered with recanemab and the control group administered with placebo, the test group’s brain contracted by an average of 28% more following 18 months. Considering that brain shrinkage occurs as Alzheimer’s progresses, it might be interpreted that the treatment accelerates Alzheimer’s symptoms.
Eisai, a Japanese pharmaceutical company that developed Recanemab with Biogen in the US, is in the position that this is a phenomenon that can occur during the action of the drug. Eisai said, “Brain shrinkage can occur in the process of removing beta-amyloid protein and treating inflammation.”
Recanemab is a drug that received conditional approval from the US FDA in January. The results of this study are attracting more attention as it is expected that the procedure for introduction will be carried out in Korea in the future.
The research team emphasized the importance of clarifying the cause of brain contraction and its effect on the body. He also said, “It is surprising that this has not been publicized until now, even though this is a very important issue for the official approval of the treatment.” “These results raise concerns regarding the development of Alzheimer’s treatments,” said Madhav Tambiseti, a professor of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University in the US.
The results of this study were published in the international journal «Neurology» and «Science» reported.
Meanwhile, the US FDA plans to hold an advisory committee meeting by July to review whether or not to officially approve recanemab.
