Work

Spatial patterns of amyloid clearance after donanemab: A preliminary 12‐month real‐world amyloid PET study in Japanese patients with early Alzheimer's disease

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction The regional pattern of amyloid clearance during donanemab treatment in routine practice is poorly characterized. Methods We analyzed amyloid positron emission tomography (Centiloid, regional standardized uptake value ratio, visual reads) at baseline and 12 months in 18 donanemab‐treated patients with early Alzheimer's disease. Results Clearance was near‐complete (removal 96%; 72% visually negative, i.e., full treatment‐related amyloid clearance), although lower in the 2 early‐onset (78%) than the 16 late‐onset patients (98%). Higher baseline burden and older age predicted greater clearance ( r = 0.88, P < .001; r = 0.60, P = .009, respectively). This held regionally ( r = 0.82–0.91, all P < .001), with the posterior cingulate and precuneus clearing first. Clearance was independent of medial temporal atrophy and unrelated to 12‐month cognitive change. Discussion Donanemab cleared regional amyloid in proportion to its baseline distribution, with deposition‐heavy regions clearing first and the temporal cortex retaining residual signal, independent of neurodegenerative stage and unrelated to short‐term cognition.

Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring

DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70539