Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by symptoms such as memory loss and behavioral change, and it is the sixth leading cause of death in the U.S. This literature-based thesis aims to detail the history of the disease as well as pertinent information, such as basic brain histology, disease pathogenesis, and genetic profiles of victims. The paper will then discuss the available treatment options, from their annual costs and mechanisms of action to an evaluation of their cost-effectiveness. The information in this paper was collected through an online investigation of sources including research studies and medical journals. The treatments discussed in this thesis consist of six drugs: aducanumab, donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine, memantine, and memantine-donepezil combination. Aducanumab is the only disease-modifying drug to receive FDA approval, but its efficacy is marred in controversy and it lacks cost-effectiveness. The remaining five drugs all have similar cost-effective values, but generic donepezil is an outlier with significantly better results. This paper’s findings indicate that generic donepezil is the most optimal treatment, but that further research should be conducted on aducanumab. Research also suggests that public health advocates must be vigorous in their attempts to make these drugs more affordable to the general population.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bu.edu/oai:open.bu.edu:2144/47465 |
| Date | 03 November 2023 |
| Creators | Yaniz, Miguel |
| Contributors | Tornheim, Keith, Offner, Gwynneth D. |
| Source Sets | Boston University |
| Language | en_US |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis/Dissertation |
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