Expert Available to Explain Pluses, Minuses of First Alzheimer’s Treatment

WHAT:
Zaldy Tan, MD, a highly respected memory and geriatric medicine specialist at Cedars-Sinai, is available to comment on both sides of the controversy surrounding the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval of aducanumab for Alzheimer’s.

Aducanumab, the scientific name for the drug developed by Biogen and marketed under the name of Aduhelm, is a monthly intravenous infusion that is intended to slow cognitive decline in patients in the early stages of the disease.

“Aducanumab has been shown to dissolve clumps of beta-amyloid plaque that builds up in the brain of Alzheimer’s patients,” said Tan. “However, studies have been inconclusive as to whether eliminating the plaque in the brain preserves cognitive and functional abilities.”

 

WHO:

Zaldy Tan, MD, serves as the medical director of the Jona Goldrich Center for Alzheimer’s and Memory Disorders and director of the Memory and Aging Program at Cedars-Sinai. He was not associated with any of the Aducanumab clinical trials and can share unbiased feedback about both pros and cons of the approval. Tan’s research focuses on risk factors and preventive measures for Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, along with health services research aimed at improving the quality of care for dementia patients.

WHERE:

Cedars-Sinai can accommodate most virtual interview formats, including Zoom, FaceTime and Skype.

 

WHEN:

The FDA approved Aducanumab today.

CONTACT:
Cara Martinez can help schedule your interview: 310-562-7821 or [email protected].