VOORHEES, N.J. (CBS) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is considering approval for a second drug to treat Alzheimer’s disease, in a decision that could come as early as Tuesday.
This class of drugs can slow the progression of the disease. For a former South Jersey doctor with early-onset Alzheimer’s, it’s all about a little extra time
Dr. Jonel Dershem of Voorhees, New Jersey, enjoys baking with her son, but she knew something was wrong when she became confused in the kitchen.
“It became increasingly difficult to stay organized and prepare meals on time,” Dershem said.
For this gynecologist who has delivered thousands of babies, that was never a problem.
She thought the cognitive problems might be related to breast cancer treatment, but tests confirmed it was early-stage Alzheimer’s. The 57-year-old’s first thought was for her family.
She decided to go Leqembithe first drug approved to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. David C. Weisman of Abington Neurological Associates, who studies and prescribes Leqembi, calls it “a remarkable advance.”
“The net effect is that the sticky protein amyloid clears out of the brain, and that reduces the rate of decline,” Weisman said.
Research shows that the drug can slow cognitive decline by 27%, delaying the disease by about five months.
However, side effects may occur, such as swelling or bleeding in the brain.
For Dershem, who enjoys simple pleasures, the medicine seems to be working.
“I feel like I’m almost exactly the same as when I started. To me, that’s progress, not regression, to be honest,” Dershem said.
Now she focuses on spending time with her family and creating memories with her sons. She has been taking the medication for about a year and hopes it will continue to work. She has big plans: one of her sons is getting married next year.
“I just want them to have memories of the things I did with them,” she said, “so they can tell my grandchildren.”
Stephanie Stahl
