Controversy surrounding Aducanumab

Why was Aducanumab approved despite inconclusive results?

Possible side effects of Aducanumab and identifying patients' eligibility

Signs and symptoms of MCI or memory loss issues

Pro-active approach to reducing risks of memory loss

Health Check Ep 62: Making sense of the controversy surrounding US-approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease

19:27 mins

Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. 

There's a new drug in the United States that offers hope for patients facing the daunting prospect of not being able to remember their loved ones as their disease progresses. However, many experts are against the approval of this new drug for Alzheimer's disease.

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Associate Professor Nagaendran Kandiah, a Senior Consultant and the director of the dementia programme at the National Neuroscience Institute, about the controversial drug known as Aducanumab.

Developed by US drug maker Biogen, Aducanumab is the first treatment for Alzheimer's disease to be approved in nearly 20 years and will be sold under the brand Aduhelm (it is currently not a registered product in Singapore).

It was approved even though the US Food and Drug Administration’s independent panel of experts had voted overwhelmingly against it. They said there is weak evidence that the drug can slow mental connectivity decline in patients. Three FDA advisers have resigned over this decision.

There's also the other group of people excited about having a drug that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Current treatments only target the symptoms of the disease.

The new drug Aducanumab works by removing a protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. This protein is called amyloid. In theory, clearing the brain of amyloid plaques may slow the progression of the disease but the clinical benefits aren’t clear. 
The controversy surrounding Aducanumab, the new drug for Alzheimer's Disease and results from the trials (01:47)
Why was Aducanumab approved despite the inconclusive results (05:00)
Possible side effects of Aducanumab and identifying patients' eligibility for the new drug (11:48)
Signs and symptoms of MCI or memory loss issues to look out for (13:34)
Pro-active approach to reducing risks of memory loss (16:20)

Produced by: Joyce Teo (joyceteo@sph.com.sg) and Fa'izah Sani

Edited by: Penelope Lee and Fa'izah Sani

Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:

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Website: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

Feedback to: podcast@sph.com.sg

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN

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Discover ST Podcasts: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

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Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!

#healthcheck

Health Check Ep 62: Making sense of the controversy surrounding US-approved drug for Alzheimer’s disease
19:27 mins
Synopsis: Every first and third Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you. 
There's a new drug in the United States that offers hope for patients facing the daunting prospect of not being able to remember their loved ones as their disease progresses. However, many experts are against the approval of this new drug for Alzheimer's disease.
In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo hosts Associate Professor Nagaendran Kandiah, a Senior Consultant and the director of the dementia programme at the National Neuroscience Institute, about the controversial drug known as Aducanumab.
Developed by US drug maker Biogen, Aducanumab is the first treatment for Alzheimer's disease to be approved in nearly 20 years and will be sold under the brand Aduhelm (it is currently not a registered product in Singapore).
It was approved even though the US Food and Drug Administration’s independent panel of experts had voted overwhelmingly against it. They said there is weak evidence that the drug can slow mental connectivity decline in patients. Three FDA advisers have resigned over this decision.
There's also the other group of people excited about having a drug that can slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease. Current treatments only target the symptoms of the disease.
The new drug Aducanumab works by removing a protein that accumulates in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients. This protein is called amyloid. In theory, clearing the brain of amyloid plaques may slow the progression of the disease but the clinical benefits aren’t clear. 
<ol>
<li>The controversy surrounding Aducanumab, the new drug for Alzheimer's Disease and results from the trials (01:47)</li>
<li>Why was Aducanumab approved despite the inconclusive results (05:00)</li>
<li>Possible side effects of Aducanumab and identifying patients' eligibility for the new drug (11:48)</li>
<li>Signs and symptoms of MCI or memory loss issues to look out for (13:34)</li>
<li>Pro-active approach to reducing risks of memory loss (16:20)</li>
</ol>
Produced by: Joyce Teo (<a href="mailto:joyceteo@sph.com.sg">joyceteo@sph.com.sg</a>) and Fa'izah Sani
Edited by: Penelope Lee and Fa'izah Sani
Follow Health Check Podcast here and rate us:
Channel: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaN">https://str.sg/JWaN</a>
Apple Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/JWRX">https://str.sg/JWRX</a>
Spotify: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaQ">https://str.sg/JWaQ</a>
Google Podcasts: <a href="https://str.sg/J6Wv">https://str.sg/J6Wv</a> 
SPH Awedio app:<a href="https://www.awedio.sg/"> https://www.awedio.sg/</a>
Website: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
Feedback to: <a href="mailto:podcast@sph.com.sg">podcast@sph.com.sg</a>
Read Joyce Teo's stories: <a href="https://str.sg/JbxN">https://str.sg/JbxN</a>
---
Discover ST's special edition podcasts:
The Unsolved Mysteries of South-east Asia: <a href="https://str.sg/wuZ2">https://str.sg/wuZ2</a>
Stop Scams: <a href="https://str.sg/wuZB">https://str.sg/wuZB</a>
Singapore's War On Covid: <a href="https://str.sg/wuJa">https://str.sg/wuJa</a>
Invisible Asia:<a href="https://str.sg/wuZn"> https://str.sg/wuZn</a>
---
Discover more ST podcast series:
Asian Insider: <a href="https://str.sg/JWa7">https://str.sg/JWa7</a>
Green Pulse: <a href="https://str.sg/JWaf">https://str.sg/JWaf</a>
In Your Opinion: <a href="https://str.sg/w7Qt">https://str.sg/w7Qt</a>
Your Money &amp; Career: <a href="https://str.sg/wB2m">https://str.sg/wB2m</a>
#PopVultures: <a href="https://str.sg/JWad">https://str.sg/JWad</a>
ST Sports Talk: <a href="https://str.sg/JWRE">https://str.sg/JWRE</a>
Bookmark This!: <a href="https://str.sg/JWas">https://str.sg/JWas</a>
Lunch With Sumiko: <a href="https://str.sg/J6hQ">https://str.sg/J6hQ</a>
Discover ST Podcasts: <a href="http://str.sg/stpodcasts">http://str.sg/stpodcasts</a>
Discover BT Podcasts: <a href="https://bt.sg/pcPL">https://bt.sg/pcPL</a>
Follow our shows then, if you like short, practical podcasts!
#healthcheck

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Podcaster: Joyce Teo

Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis & The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust.

Synopsis: Every first Wednesday of the month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.
Podcaster: Joyce Teo
Produced by podcast editor Ernest Luis &amp; The Straits Times, SPH Media Trust.

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