Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease

Second-generation anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a viable therapeutic option for individuals with prodromal and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Passive immunotherapy with aducanumab (Aduhelm), lecanemab, donanemab, and gantenerumab all lower CNS amyloid (Aβ) b...

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Main Authors: Charles G. Withington, R. Scott Turner
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-03-01
Series:Frontiers in Neurology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.862369/full
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author Charles G. Withington
R. Scott Turner
author_facet Charles G. Withington
R. Scott Turner
author_sort Charles G. Withington
collection DOAJ
description Second-generation anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a viable therapeutic option for individuals with prodromal and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Passive immunotherapy with aducanumab (Aduhelm), lecanemab, donanemab, and gantenerumab all lower CNS amyloid (Aβ) burden but come with a significant risk of amyloid-related imaging abnormality (ARIA)—the most common side effect of this class of drugs. While usually asymptomatic and detected only on brain MRI, ARIA may lead to new signs and symptoms including headache, worsening confusion, dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea, and seizures. In addition, one fatality related to ARIA-E (edema) with aducanumab and one fatality due to ARIA-H (hemorrhage) with donanemab are reported to date. ARIA-E may be associated with excessive neuroinflammation and saturation of perivascular clearance pathways, while ARIA-H may be related to vascular amyloid clearance with weakening and rupture of small blood vessels. The risk of ARIA-E is higher at treatment initiation, in ApoE4 carriers, with higher dosage, and with >4 of microhemorrhages on a baseline MRI. The risk of ARIA-H increases with age and cerebrovascular disease. Dose titration mitigates the risk of ARIA, and contraindications include individuals with >4 microhemorrhages and those prescribed anti-platelet or anti-coagulant drugs. A brain MRI is required before aducanumab is initiated, before each scheduled dose escalation, and with any new neurologic sign or symptom. Management of ARIA ranges from continued antibody treatment with monthly MRI monitoring for asymptomatic individuals to temporary or permanent suspension for symptomatic individuals or those with moderate to severe ARIA on MRI. Controlled studies regarding prevention and treatment of ARIA are lacking, but anecdotal evidence suggests that a pulse of intravenous corticosteroids may be of benefit, as well as a course of anticonvulsant for seizures.
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spelling doaj.art-45ba4f90a6594044a58041fa594c97d62022-12-22T01:42:29ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Neurology1664-22952022-03-011310.3389/fneur.2022.862369862369Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's DiseaseCharles G. WithingtonR. Scott TurnerSecond-generation anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies are emerging as a viable therapeutic option for individuals with prodromal and mild dementia due to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Passive immunotherapy with aducanumab (Aduhelm), lecanemab, donanemab, and gantenerumab all lower CNS amyloid (Aβ) burden but come with a significant risk of amyloid-related imaging abnormality (ARIA)—the most common side effect of this class of drugs. While usually asymptomatic and detected only on brain MRI, ARIA may lead to new signs and symptoms including headache, worsening confusion, dizziness, visual disturbances, nausea, and seizures. In addition, one fatality related to ARIA-E (edema) with aducanumab and one fatality due to ARIA-H (hemorrhage) with donanemab are reported to date. ARIA-E may be associated with excessive neuroinflammation and saturation of perivascular clearance pathways, while ARIA-H may be related to vascular amyloid clearance with weakening and rupture of small blood vessels. The risk of ARIA-E is higher at treatment initiation, in ApoE4 carriers, with higher dosage, and with >4 of microhemorrhages on a baseline MRI. The risk of ARIA-H increases with age and cerebrovascular disease. Dose titration mitigates the risk of ARIA, and contraindications include individuals with >4 microhemorrhages and those prescribed anti-platelet or anti-coagulant drugs. A brain MRI is required before aducanumab is initiated, before each scheduled dose escalation, and with any new neurologic sign or symptom. Management of ARIA ranges from continued antibody treatment with monthly MRI monitoring for asymptomatic individuals to temporary or permanent suspension for symptomatic individuals or those with moderate to severe ARIA on MRI. Controlled studies regarding prevention and treatment of ARIA are lacking, but anecdotal evidence suggests that a pulse of intravenous corticosteroids may be of benefit, as well as a course of anticonvulsant for seizures.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.862369/fullAlzheimer's diseaseamyloid related imaging abnormalitiesaducanumabARIA-HARIA-E
spellingShingle Charles G. Withington
R. Scott Turner
Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
Frontiers in Neurology
Alzheimer's disease
amyloid related imaging abnormalities
aducanumab
ARIA-H
ARIA-E
title Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
title_full Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
title_fullStr Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
title_full_unstemmed Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
title_short Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities With Anti-amyloid Antibodies for the Treatment of Dementia Due to Alzheimer's Disease
title_sort amyloid related imaging abnormalities with anti amyloid antibodies for the treatment of dementia due to alzheimer s disease
topic Alzheimer's disease
amyloid related imaging abnormalities
aducanumab
ARIA-H
ARIA-E
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fneur.2022.862369/full
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