Kansas City, Kan- Brent Beasley, diagnosed with Alzheimer's in July 2022, at the age of 57, shared his journey at the University of Kansas Health System.
Diagnosed via MRI and lumbar puncture, he received infusions of Lecanemab
Brent showed significant improvement after eight months. His amyloid levels normalized, indicating the drug's effectiveness.
The conversation highlighted the importance of early detection, the potential of blood tests for early diagnosis, and the challenges of insurance coverage for younger onset Alzheimer's patients.
Brent Beasley, Alzheimer’s patient
- Brent shares how he lost his job as a doctor because of his symptoms.
- He describes feeling in a fog, struggling with conversations, and having difficulty with board games.
- Brent shares his experience and the importance of raising awareness and advocating for better treatment options.
Cindy Beasley, wife
- Cindy shares the challenges of dealing with insurance issues and the importance of advocating for treatment.
- She recalls the emotional impact of seeing Brent's clarity and stability.
Dr. Jeff Burns, Neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System; Co-Director, KU Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center
- Dr. Jeff Burns outlines the diagnostic process, including memory testing, MRI scans, and lumbar punctures.
- He notes that while not every patient responds as dramatically, many show stability with the treatment.
Dr. Ryan Townley, Neurologist, The University of Kansas Health System
- Dr. Ryan Townley explains the difference between Alzheimer's and dementia, noting that Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.
- The conversation emphasizes the importance of early intervention and the progress being made in Alzheimer's research.
Wednesday, November 5th is Open Mics:
Living Liver Donation
The truth with organ donation is that there’s not enough donations for patients who need a transplant.
One emerging solution is living liver donations. We take you inside a recent surgery that included an anonymous donor who simply wants to share the gift of life.
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