How Early Treatment is Changing the Path for Alzheimer’s Patients

Being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s was initially a shock, but over time, Linda Shows has come to see it as a blessing, largely due to the benefits of early diagnosis and treatment. Despite the challenges associated with Alzheimer’s, she has been able to maintain a fulfilling life, to which she credits the support of her family, friends and faith. Shows believes that surrounding oneself with positive and encouraging people is crucial, as it helps in making informed health care decisions and ensures ongoing emotional and practical support throughout the treatment process.

Additionally, early intervention has allowed her to manage the disease effectively and continue to live without significant lifestyle changes.

“I do not define myself by Alzheimer's disease [and] I don't let Alzheimer's disease define me,” Shows says. “I've continued to live my life to the fullest extent and have been fortunate to be able to do that because I had early intervention and early treatment with the drug Leqembi [lecanemab].”

She stresses the importance of communicating with physicians at the onset of symptoms, particularly memory loss, which shouldn’t be dismissed as "normal aging,” and encourages others to seek early treatment for Alzheimer’s to maximize the chances of positive outcomes.

Wendell Helveston, MD, a neurologist with Hattiesburg Clinic Neurology in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, says many symptoms associated with Alzheimer’s disease are often attributed to normal aging, so it can be difficult to determine what is simply age-related memory decline and what might be early signs of Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment.

With the advent of biomarker testing, it’s become clear that some memory impairments previously considered benign are actually early Alzheimer's, he says. This shift has emphasized the importance of early diagnosis, especially with treatments like Leqembi, which can slow disease progression by approximately 30%.

Given these advances, early intervention is critical. Helveston encourages people experiencing memory problems, whether or not they have a family history of Alzheimer's, to consult their healthcare provider and consider biomarker testing if needed. He says it's crucial to bring up any concerns about memory and cognition with a doctor, as early diagnosis allows for timely treatment and the best possible outcome.