Neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and quality‐of‐life assessments in Alzheimer's disease patients treated with plasma exchange with albumin replacement from the randomized AMBAR study. Issue 7 (2nd November 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boada, Mercè; López, Oscar L.; Olazarán, Javier; Núñez, Laura; Pfeffer, Michael; Puente, Orlando; Piñol‐Ripoll, Gerard; Gámez, José E.; Anaya, Fernando; Kiprov, Dobri; Alegret, Montserrat; Grifols, Carlota; Barceló, Miquel; Bozzo, Jordi; Szczepiorkowski, Zbigniew M.; Páez, Antonio
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 18:Issue 7(2022)
• Page Start: 1314
• Page End: 1324
• Publication Date: 2021-11-02
• Subjects: albumin -- albutein -- Alzheimer's disease -- clinical trial -- plasma exchange -- plasmapheresis; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.12477
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: We report the effects of plasma exchange (PE) with albumin replacement on neuropsychological, neuropsychiatric, and quality‐of‐life (QoL) outcomes in mild‐to‐moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients in a phase 2b/3 trial (Alzheimer's Management by Albumin Replacement [AMBAR] study). Methods: Three hundred forty‐seven patients were randomized into placebo (sham‐PE) and three PE‐treatment arms with low/high doses of albumin, with/without intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG). Specific test measurements were performed at baseline; month 2 (weekly conventional PE); months 6, 9, and 12 (monthly low‐volume PE [LVPE]); and month 14. Results: The PE‐treated mild‐AD cohort improved their language fluency and processing speed versus placebo at month 14 (effect sizes: >100%; P ‐values: .03 to .001). The moderate‐AD cohort significantly improved short‐term verbal memory (effect sizes: 94% to >100%; P ‐values: .02 to .003). The progression of the neuropsychiatric symptoms of PE‐treated was similar to placebo. Mild‐AD patients showed improved QoL ( P ‐values: .04 to .008). Discussion: PE‐treated AD patients showed improvement in memory, language abilities, processing speed, and QoL‐AD. No worsening of their psychoaffective status was observed.