Is amyloid behind your memory and thinking issues?

Tests are an important part in helping identify what could be behind your memory and thinking issues

Actor portrayals.

Is amyloid behind your memory and thinking issues?

Tests are an important part in helping identify what could be behind your memory and thinking issues

The differences between normal aging and other memory and thinking issues may be subtle and these issues can progress over time

While amyloid protein is present in those with a healthy brain, scientists believe the buildup of amyloid plaques may be associated with thinking or memory problems.

Amyloid is a protein your body produces naturally

The excessive buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain may lead to memory and thinking issues due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD)

Experts believe excessive amyloid plaque buildup may cause changes in the brain that make it difficult to do things such as:

Retain new information
Remember appointments and important dates
Find the right words or names
Plan or organize

Amyloid buildup may begin years before you start to experience symptoms of memory and thinking issues. Talk to your doctor about your memory and thinking issues. Your doctor can help determine if testing is the next step for you.

Evaluating memory and thinking issues

If you've been experiencing memory and thinking issues, like forgetting words or names and losing your train of thought more often, these changes may be more than normal aging. Your doctor may run a few tests that assess your thinking, memory, and decision-making abilities.

First, you will discuss your medical history
Next, your doctor may give you a verbal test or questionnaire
Then, your doctor will do a physical and neurological exam
After that, your doctor may order blood tests
Finally, your doctor may refer you for additional testing, including brain imaging tests, or refer you to a specialist to learn more about your condition

Testing for amyloid plaque buildup associated with early symptomatic AD

After the initial assessment, your doctor may decide to do more tests to determine the presence of amyloid plaques in the brain. Amyloid is a protein that your body produces naturally, but a buildup of amyloid plaques in the brain may lead to memory and thinking issues due to AD.

There are 3 different types of testing that may help identify amyloid in the brain. The results of these tests may help confirm a diagnosis and determine potential eligibility for treatment:

Blood tests

Blood biomarker tests may help determine the likelihood of the presence of abnormal amyloid in the brain. Depending on the results, they may be followed by a CSF test or PET scan.

Positron emission tomography (PET) scans

PET scans produce an image of the brain and can show if amyloid plaques are present.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) tests

A CSF test is an assessment that requires a lumbar puncture to help your doctor identify amyloid.

If your doctor has determined that your memory and thinking issues are due to early symptomatic AD, Kisunla may help.

Learn about Kisunla

Explore more

SAFETY SUMMARY WITH WARNINGS

Warnings - Kisunla can cause Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities or “ARIA.” This is a common side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms, but serious symptoms can occur. ARIA can be fatal. ARIA is most commonly seen as temporary swelling in an area or areas of the brain that usually goes away over time. Some people may also have spots of bleeding on the surface of or in the brain and infrequently, larger areas of bleeding in the brain can occur. Although most people do not have symptoms, some people have:

Headache
Dizziness
Nausea
Difficulty walking

Confusion
Vision changes
Seizures

Some people have a genetic risk factor (homozygous apolipoprotein E ε4 gene carriers) that may cause an increased risk for ARIA. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing to see if you have this risk factor.

You may be at higher risk of developing bleeding in the brain if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines) while receiving Kisunla. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you are on any medicines that increase this risk.

Your healthcare provider will do magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scans before and during your treatment with Kisunla to check you for ARIA. You should carry information that you are receiving Kisunla, which can cause ARIA, and that ARIA symptoms can look like stroke symptoms. Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

There are registries that collect information on treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. Your healthcare provider can help you become enrolled in these registries.

Warnings - Kisunla can cause serious allergic and infusion-related reactions. Do not receive Kisunla if you have serious allergic reactions to donanemab-azbt or any of the ingredients in Kisunla. Symptoms may include swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or eyelids, problems breathing, hives, chills, irritation of skin, nausea, vomiting, sweating, headache, or chest pain. You will be monitored for at least 30 minutes after you receive Kisunla for any reaction. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have these symptoms or any reaction during or after a Kisunla infusion.

Other common side effects

Headache

Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any side effects. These are not all of the possible side effects of Kisunla. You can report side effects at 1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch.

Before you receive Kisunla, tell your healthcare provider:

About all medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, as well as vitamins and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you have medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines, including aspirin).
About all of your medical conditions including if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. Kisunla has not been studied in people who were pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not known if Kisunla could harm your unborn or breastfeeding baby.

How to receive Kisunla

Kisunla is a prescription medicine given through an intravenous (IV) infusion using a needle inserted into a vein in your arm. Kisunla is given once every 4 weeks. Each infusion will last about 30 minutes.

Learn more

For more information about Kisunla, call 1-800-LillyRx (1-800-545-5979) or go to kisunla.lilly.com.

This summary provides basic information about Kisunla. It does not include all information known about this medicine. Read the information given to you about Kisunla. This information does not take the place of talking with your healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about Kisunla. Your healthcare provider is the best person to help you decide if Kisunla is right for you.

DN CON BS APP

Kisunla^™ is a trademark owned or licensed by Eli Lilly and Company, its subsidiaries, or affiliates.

INDICATION

Kisunla™ (kih-SUHN-lah) is used to treat adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), which includes mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia stage of disease.