Brett Thiedeman
Welcome to the street clinics podcast, brought to you by Atticus Health where we explore health and wellness topics to help you live your best life. And today, we’re really excited to have a special guest with us in the studio, which is exciting as well. We don’t always have the chance to do the podcast in the studio. So today we’ve got Dr. Joseph Dookan, who is a geriatrician and has worked extensively with the elderly population. Welcome, Joseph.
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Thank you, Brett. And thanks for having me on the show.
Brett Thiedeman
No worries. It’s great to have you in as I said in the studio on a beautiful sunny day in Melbourne as well. So today we want to talk about the importance of health assessments for people over 75 Dementia screening and a new drug called Lecanemab that has been recently approved in the USA. So let’s start with the health assessments. Why are they so important for this age group, Joseph?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Sure. So as people age they become more susceptible to chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, heart disease, and dementia. Health Assessments are crucial for identifying these conditions earlier on. And then allows for timely intervention and management also provides an opportunity to discuss preventative measures such as vaccinations, cancer screenings, and lifestyle changes that can improve overall health and quality of life.
Brett Thiedeman
And I guess that’s an important distinction to make. Joseph, can you tell us a bit about what happens during a health assessment?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Sure. A health assessment for someone over 75 typically involves a comprehensive review of their medical history, a physical exam, and a series of tests to assess their cognition and physical function. These tests can include things like blood pressure checks, blood tests, hearing and vision tests, and of course, memory testing as well.
Brett Thiedeman
Okay, so speaking of the memory test, Joseph, let’s move on to the dementia screening. Like how does that work? And why is it important? Why do you think it’s important for older adults?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
So dementia screening is a way to assess a person’s memory and cognitive function and involves a series of tests that evaluate things like memory, language, attention, and problem-solving skills. It is important because Dementia is progressive, and unfortunately, at this stage and a reversible, irreversible disease that affects millions of older adults worldwide. So early detection is crucial because it allows for early intervention and management which may be able to slow the progression of the disease and certainly improve one’s quality of life.
Brett Thiedeman
It’s really helpful to know so I guess let’s shift gears and talk about this trial drug, Lecanemab. Can you tell us a little bit more about it?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
So Lecanemab is a monoclonal antibody that targets a protein called amyloid beta, which is believed to play a role in the development of Alzheimer’s disease. This drug is designed to reduce the buildup of amyloid beta in the brain, which is thought to be the major contributor to cognitive decline seen in Alzheimer’s disease. It is exciting because it’s one of the first drugs that has been shown to slow the progression of disease in clinical trials.
Brett Thiedeman
So that’s really exciting news for patients and families. So what are some of the potential benefits of the drug,
Dr Joseph Dookhan
potential benefits of Lecanemab are significant clinical trials so far have shown that the drug can slow down the progression of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 20 plus per cent. Additionally, patients who received the drug experience improvements in cognitive function and memory
Brett Thiedeman
that’s incredible. So are there any side effects or risks associated with glaucoma?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Like all drugs, there are potential risks and side effects. The most commonly reported in clinical trials were rash and infusion-related reactions. Additionally, the long-term safety and effectiveness of the drug are still being studied.
Brett Thiedeman
And I guess that’s important to keep in mind. So how can patients and their families learn more about Lecanemab and whether it’s right for them?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Lecanemab is not yet available in Australia on will need to be approved for use by the Therapeutic Goods Administration or the TGA. I see Lecanemab as an important step and a move in the right direction for treating OSA on this disease fortunately for which we currently still do not have a cure.
Brett Thiedeman
Thanks, Joseph. That’s great. And you know, thanks for sharing your insights on dementia screaming and Lecanemab. But is there anything else you’d like to add before we wrap it up?
Dr Joseph Dookhan
Yes. So I would like to stress the importance of early detection and treatment for dementia. If you or a loved one are experiencing memory problems or other cognitive impairments, it’s important to talk to your doctor as soon as possible. The earlier dementia is detected, the more effective treatment options are likely to be.
Brett Thiedeman
Well, thanks again for your time, Joseph and for our listeners, Dr. Joseph Dukan will be practising ant the Atticus Health Hastings and Highett clinics. And we’re also we also have Dr. Joanne Chow, who practices in Jindivick and Dr. Regis Singh, at the Atticus Bangholme clinic. So if you are concerned, or as a family member, if you’re concerned about a parent or relative or someone you’re supporting, please get in contact with a doctor. And who can be referred to a geriatrician like Joseph as well So Joseph, thanks again for your time today. We really appreciate it. Thank you
