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Berlin Patient Begins Donanemab as Germany’s New Alzheimer Therapies Roll Out

Clinicians stress the drugs slow early decline rather than cure disease, requiring strict screening and MRI monitoring.

Overview

  • A 57-year-old Berlin woman diagnosed at 53 received her first Donanemab (Kisunla) infusion at Charité this month.
  • Charité reports about 50 people are currently being treated with Donanemab or Lecanemab after the drugs became available in Germany last fall.
  • Clinical data indicate Donanemab can modestly slow progression, with an estimated four to six months of time gained over 18 months.
  • Treatment is limited to very early-stage patients with constrained genetic risk, with Donanemab infused every four weeks and Lecanemab every two.
  • Doctors track safety with regular MRIs for brain edema or microbleeds, with experts noting higher observed risk with Donanemab and preliminary signals of lower effectiveness in women.