Early Alzheimer's Detection: A Community's Impact

Sponsored by Eisai Inc. and Biogen.

Patient information is accurate as of March 2025

After decades spent supporting his community, Rev. Dan Gartland had a newfound appreciation for the tight-knit circle he cultivated as they stepped up to support him when he needed them most. An associate pastor and teacher, Gartland often shared his knowledge, wisdom, guidance and support with his parishioners — not knowing just how crucial they would become when he began experiencing subtle changes in his memory. In fact, they noticed the changes long before he was aware and voiced their concerns when it mattered most.

Gartland was becoming forgetful: accidentally setting off the church alarm by opening the wrong door, unable to answer questions he'd easily addressed in the past. Instead, he would simply say, "I don't have an answer to that." Gartland also started noticing he was feeling "fuzzy" and wasn't sleeping well.

After observing these changes in Gartland, his congregation became increasingly worried for his well-being and spoke with Gartland's friend and colleague, who then reached out to his family about their concerns. Together, they decided that he should see a neurologist.

Gartland shared his symptoms with his neurologist who recommended he undergo testing. The testing included a series of cognitive tests and a cerebrospinal fluid test, which ultimately confirmed Gartland's diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) — he was just 67 years old.

What to look for

Common symptoms of MCI, or early AD, include:

• Forgetting names or information you just learned.
• Confusion, such as asking the same question repeatedly.
• Struggling to find the right word.
• Difficulty concentrating and keeping track of bills.

Aging can bring some memory loss, but with AD, the symptoms tend to worsen over time. It's recommended to talk to your doctor if you have any concerns, as it's crucial to get an early diagnosis. Some treatment options for AD are available only during its early stages.

Learning to face the future

Being diagnosed with early AD wasn't a shock for Gartland, who knew something was wrong, but it was devastating. Gartland soon learned that he would be able to continue counseling and teaching his students, for which he was grateful. The community he helped lead, which thrived on care and support for one another, was there for him in return — offering rides to his medical appointments, helping sort his medications and providing emotional support such as positive encouragement around his role as a beloved teacher.

Because AD is a progressive disease, Gartland recognized the importance of beginning treatment early. He learned about treatment options to slow the progression of AD for certain people who are diagnosed early, and his neurologist prescribed LEQEMBI^® (lecanemab-irmb, 100 mg/mL, injection for intravenous use). Although it is not possible to stop AD from getting worse, Gartland could take steps to slow how fast it progresses.

A treatment option for early stages of AD

LEQEMBI is a prescription medicine used to treat people with early AD, which includes MCI or mild dementia due to the disease. LEQEMBI is a U.S. FDA-approved anti-amyloid AD treatment given by an intravenous (IV) infusion shown to slow disease progression and cognitive and functional decline over 18 months compared to a placebo in adults with early AD.

LEQEMBI fights AD in two ways: rapidly clearing amyloid-beta plaque and continuously clearing highly toxic proteins, known as protofibrils, that continue to harm and kill brain neurons even after the amyloid-beta plaque has been cleared from the brain. Ongoing treatment can slow AD progression and prolong the benefit of therapy, with the goal of helping people like Gartland maintain who they are for longer.

The FDA also approved an IV maintenance dosing regimen of LEQEMBI that allows patients who have completed 18 months of a once every two weeks IV initiation phase of therapy to transition to the maintenance dosing regimen of 10 mg/kg once every four weeks. The monthly IV dosing regimen was developed to offer patients and care partners an option to continue treatment for early AD that may be easier than dosing once every two weeks.

LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects, including amyloid related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), serious allergic reactions and infusion-related reactions. ARIA is a side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms, but serious symptoms can occur. ARIA can be fatal. Some people may have small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain; sometimes larger areas of bleeding have occurred. Patients who may be eligible for treatment with LEQEMBI should ask their doctor about testing for a genetic risk factor that may cause an increased risk for ARIA. It is important they also tell their doctor about all the medicines they take, including medications to reduce blood clots from forming such as antithrombotic medicines like aspirin. Some medicines can increase the risk for larger areas of bleeding in the brain. Most common side effects included infusion related reactions, ARIA and headaches. These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI. Please see full safety information below.

Moving forward

While adjusting to his new routine, Gartland has relied on his faith, his family and his community. His advice? "As soon as you find out, do something, because it's not going to go away," he said. "I relish each day I can continue my calling, and I know acting quickly played a large role in treating my AD."

In honor of Alzheimer's and Brain Health Awareness Month this June, share what you've learned with others. If you notice signs of AD in yourself or someone close to you, it's important to speak with a doctor. To learn more about LEQEMBI, visit www.LEQEMBI.com.

Dan Gartland was paid for his time in contributing to this article.

WHAT IS LEQEMBI?
LEQEMBI is a prescription medicine used to treat people with Alzheimer's disease. It is not known if LEQEMBI is safe and effective in children.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION
What is the most important information I should know about LEQEMBI? LEQEMBI can cause serious side effects, including:
ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities). ARIA is a side effect that does not usually cause any symptoms, but serious symptoms can occur. ARIA can be fatal.

• ARIA commonly shows up as temporary swelling in areas of the brain that usually goes away over time
• Small spots of bleeding in or on the surface of the brain can occur
• Less often, larger areas of bleeding in the brain can occur
• Most people with ARIA don't have any symptoms. However, some people may notice:
  • headache
  • confusion that gets worse
  • dizziness
  • vision changes
  • nausea
  • difficulty walking
  • seizures
• Some people have a gene called ApoE4 that may increase the risk of ARIA. Talk to your healthcare provider about testing to see if you have this gene
• You may be at a higher risk of developing bleeding in the brain if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines) while receiving LEQEMBI. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if any of the medicines you're taking increase this risk
• Your healthcare provider will check for ARIA with MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scans before you start LEQEMBI and during treatment
• You should carry information that says you are receiving LEQEMBI, which can cause ARIA, and that ARIA symptoms can look like stroke symptoms

Call your healthcare provider or go to the nearest hospital emergency room right away if you have any of the symptoms listed above.

Serious allergic reactions:

Do not receive LEQEMBI if you have serious allergic reactions to LEQEMBI or any of the ingredients in LEQEMBI.

• Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any symptoms during or after a LEQEMBI infusion, including:
  • swelling of the face, lips, mouth, or tongue
  • itchy bumps on the skin, also known as hives
  • difficulty breathing

Infusion-related reactions:

• Tell your healthcare provider right away if you notice any of these symptoms during a LEQEMBI infusion:
  • fever
  • flu-like symptoms (chills, body aches, feeling shaky, joint pain)
  • nausea and/or vomiting
  • dizziness or lightheadedness
  • fast or slow heart rate, or feeling like your chest is pounding
  • difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
• If you have an infusion-related reaction, your healthcare provider may give you medicines before your next infusion to lower the chance of having a reaction

The most common side effects of LEQEMBI include infusion-related reactions, ARIA, and headaches.

These are not all the possible side effects of LEQEMBI. Call your doctor for more information and medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or call 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before receiving LEQEMBI, tell your healthcare provider about:

• All your medical conditions, including if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed. It is not known if LEQEMBI could harm your unborn or breastfeeding baby
• All the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your healthcare provider if you take medicines to reduce blood clots from forming (antithrombotic medicines, including aspirin)

Please read the accompanying full Prescribing Information including Boxed WARNING, and Medication Guide for LEQEMBI.

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