Alzheimers drug Amyvid raises ethical questions

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Last Friday, the FDA approved Amyvid, a drug for Alzheimer’s diagnosis that was created and developed by Penn faculty Daniel Skovronsky and Hank Kung. It dyes brain deposits of amyloid plaque, which are correlated with Alzheimer’s disease.

However, the FDA has treaded cautiously, approving Amyvid only for limited uses. If brains scanned with Amyvid test negative, then the patient will be deemed Alzheimer-negative.

Cases where the Amyvid scans test positive will only signify the patient has significant levels of plaque, but will not confirm an Alzheimer’s Disease diagnosis.

Since there is no drug on the market that successfully removes amyloid plaque, Saboury said there should be no rush to market the tracer. How useful can it be for patients to know they are at risk when there is no cure or treatment?

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Alzheimer’s Disease: Music Brings Patients ‘Back to Life’

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Henry Dryer sits slumped over the tray attached to his wheelchair. He doesn’t speak, and rarely moves, until a nursing home worker puts his headphones on.

Then Dryer’s feet start to shuffle, his folded arms rock back and forth, and he sings out loud in perfect sync with his favorite songs.

“I feel a band of love, dreams,” said Dryer, 92, who has dementia. “It gives me the feeling of love, romance!”

Henry is one of seven patients profiled in the documentary “Alive Inside,” a heartwarming look at the power of music to help those in nursing homes.

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