Baptist Health is now offering an innovative infusion treatment approved by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) for certain people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease.
In a large, 18-month study, intravenous (IV) infusion treatment with LEQEMBI was proven to slow the progression of early Alzheimer's disease, helping people remember, solve problems, and complete daily activities for longer.
LEQEMBI is for people who are experiencing:
-Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease. This is when symptoms like forgetfulness and confusion are very mild and may not get in the way of daily life.
-Mild Alzheimer’s dementia. This is when symptoms like trouble keeping track of bills and difficulty with familiar tasks start to get in the way of daily life.
People with Alzheimer’s disease have a protein called amyloid that continuously builds up in the brain. It starts with small forms of amyloid protein. These may clump together into larger forms, which can damage your brain cells. As they continue to build up, they can form harmful amyloid brain plaques.
LEQEMBI is thought to work by targeting harmful amyloid proteins and reducing existing amyloid brain plaque.
Infusions are given once every two weeks, and each takes about an hour. You may be at the infusion center for longer than that, especially for your first infusion, so set aside extra time so you don't feel rushed.
For more about this infusion treatment for early Alzheimer’s disease, visit Baptist-Health.com or call Baptist Health Memory Clinic-North Little Rock at (501) 404-3785.