A regional framework for the detection and management of ARIA with anti-amyloid therapies in early Alzheimer's disease in Asia.
Journal
Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer S Disease
Journal Volume
13
Journal Issue
3
Start Page
Article Number : 100477
ISSN
2426-0266
Date Issued
2026-03
Author(s)
Moon, So Young
Chen, Ta-Fu
Moon, Won Jin
Kandiah, Nagaendran
Kumar, Sumeet
Park, Young Ho
Inaba, Kaori
Dash, Amitabh
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a growing public health concern in Asia, with an increasing prevalence driven by demographic shifts and rising life expectancy. The introduction of anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies such as lecanemab and donanemab marks a pivotal transition from symptomatic management of AD to disease-modifying approaches, but their clinical use requires careful monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA), a key safety consideration that presents either as vasogenic edema or as microhemorrhages and superficial siderosis. ARIA has been observed in varying frequencies across global and Asian clinical trial populations, underscoring the need for region-specific guidance. With our early clinical experiences in South Korea, Taiwan and Singapore serving as archetypes in Asia, we outline a framework for the detection and management of ARIA in Asian healthcare settings, accounting for disparities in imaging infrastructure, genetic factors, and clinician experience. Pre-treatment risk stratification, standardized imaging protocols, and severity-based treatment modifications are central to the framework, highlighting the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration involving neurologists, geriatricians, psychiatrists, and radiologists in ensuring accurate detection and management of ARIA. Additionally, the paper highlights the role of pharmacovigilance, real-world evidence generation, physician education, and healthcare system preparedness in optimizing the safety and efficacy of anti-amyloid therapies in Asia. The proposed framework aims to ensure safe and effective use of anti-amyloid therapies while mitigating ARIA-related risks, thereby optimizing therapeutic outcomes for early AD in diverse healthcare settings across Asia.
Subjects
Alzheimer’s disease
Lecanemab
amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
safety
Publisher
Elsevier Masson s.r.l.
Type
journal article