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Published on: September 17, 2014
Multiple ischemic strokes in a patient treated with Lecanemab: a case report
Hajar Alammar1,2, Mamadou Diallo1,2, Daniel A Llano1,2,3,4
1Carle Neuroscience Institute, Urbana, IL, USA.
Abstract:
Amyloid-lowering therapy via administration of monoclonal antibodies against amyloid beta has been previously associated with the formation of cerebral edema and/or microhemorrhage. These changes are often picked up on MRI and referred to as amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, or ARIA. Cerebral ischemia has not been systematically reported in clinical trials involving amyloid-lowering therapy but has been reported in case reports. Here we describe an additional case of a patient with Alzheimer's Disease treated with the amyloid-lowering drug Lecanemab who developed both ARIA-H and ARIA-E, as well as multiple asymptomatic ischemic infarctions. Extensive workup did not reveal another clear cause for infarction. These infarcts, in conjunction with previous reports of ischemic infarction in the setting of anti-amyloid therapy, suggest that amyloid-lowering therapy may predispose individuals to both hemorrhagic and ischemic infarction. This result is discussed in the context of microvascular pathology known to occur in the setting of Alzheimer's Disease.
Insights
Amyloid-lowering therapy for Alzheimer's Disease may increase risk of both bleeding (ARIA-H) and ischemic stroke. This case study highlights potential vascular risks associated with Lecanemab treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Pharmacology
- Neuroimaging
Background:
- Amyloid-lowering therapies, including monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid beta, are emerging treatments for Alzheimer's Disease.
- These therapies have been linked to amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), such as cerebral edema (ARIA-E) and microhemorrhage (ARIA-H).
- Ischemic events have been anecdotally reported but not systematically studied in relation to these therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a case of a patient with Alzheimer's Disease experiencing both ARIA and ischemic infarctions during Lecanemab treatment.
- To investigate the potential association between amyloid-lowering therapy and ischemic events.
Main Methods:
- Case report of an Alzheimer's Disease patient treated with Lecanemab.
- Monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA-E and ARIA-H) via MRI.
- Comprehensive diagnostic workup to identify causes of ischemic infarction.
- Review of existing literature on anti-amyloid therapy and ischemic events.
Main Results:
- The patient developed both ARIA-H and ARIA-E during Lecanemab treatment.
- Multiple asymptomatic ischemic infarctions were detected on MRI.
- No alternative cause for the ischemic infarctions was identified during the workup.
- The findings align with previous case reports of ischemic infarction during anti-amyloid therapy.
Conclusions:
- Amyloid-lowering therapy, exemplified by Lecanemab, may increase the risk of ischemic infarction in addition to ARIA.
- The study suggests a potential predisposition to both hemorrhagic and ischemic vascular events.
- Underlying microvascular pathology in Alzheimer's Disease may contribute to these treatment-related risks.
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