Addressing Cochrane’s Review on Amyloid-Targeting Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease
Amyloid-targeting monoclonal antibody treatments have ushered in a new era of Alzheimer’s disease therapies after decades of research and clinical trials. A recent review published by Cochrane, a global, independent, non-profit network of researchers, professionals, patients and carers regarded as a gold standard for producing and promoting trusted, high-quality health information, has a different perspective on these therapies. The review found these treatments produce “little to no difference” in cognition and offer few benefits while increasing risks for adverse effects. Drs. Cynthia Carlsson, a clinical trialist, David Wolk, a clinician, and Henrik Zetterberg, a biomarker and disease biology expert, join the podcast to break down the review and their concerns, as well as highlight how this review could impact clinical care, research and public policy.
Guests: Cynthia Carlsson, MD, MS, director, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Institute, Clinical Core leader, Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC), Louis A. Holland, Sr., Professor in Alzheimer’s Disease, geriatrician, University of Wisconsin (UW) School of Medicine and Public Health; David Wolk, MD, director, Penn ADRC, co-director, Penn Memory Center, co-director, Penn Institute on Aging, professor of neurology, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine; and Henrik Zetterberg, MD, PhD, professor of neurochemistry, University of Gothenburg, visiting professor, UW–Madison and University College London, Biomarker Core co-leader, Wisconsin ADRC
Show Notes
Read Cochrane’s review, “Amyloid‐beta‐targeting monoclonal antibodies for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease [https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD016297/full],” on the Cochrane Library website.
Learn more about Dr. Carlsson [https://adrc.wisc.edu/cynthia-carlsson-md-ms] and Dr. Zetterberg [https://adrc.wisc.edu/henrik-zetterberg-md-phd] at their profiles on the Wisconsin ADRC website and about Dr. Wolk [https://pennmemorycenter.org/who-we-are/staff/david-wolk-md/] at his profile on the Penn Memory Center website.
Watch and listen to Dr. Carlsson’s past episode, “A Closer Look at the Lecanemab Clinical Trials,” on our YouTube channel [https://youtu.be/ZPWgVaKKVJo] or on our website [https://adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters/closer-look-lecanemab-clinical-trials].
Listen to Dr. Wolk’s past episode, “LATE, Explained [https://adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters/late-explained],” on our website.
Listen to Dr. Zetterberg’s past episode, “The Future of Fluid Biomarkers for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias [https://adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters/future-fluid-biomarkers-alzheimers-disease-and-related-dementias],” on our website.
Connect with us
Find transcripts and more at our website [https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/dementia-matters].
Email Dementia Matters [dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu]: dementiamatters@medicine.wisc.edu
Follow us on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/wisconsinadrc] and Twitter [https://twitter.com/WisconsinADRC].
Subscribe to the Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center’s e-newsletter [https://www.adrc.wisc.edu/newsletter].
Enjoy Dementia Matters? Consider making a gift to the Dementia Matters fund through the UW Initiative to End Alzheimer’s [https://supportuw.org/giveto/dementiamatters]. All donations go toward outreach and production.
Learn about Dr. Chin’s book, When Memory Fades: What to Expect at Every Stage, from Early Signs to Full Support for Alzheimer's and Dementia [https://read.macmillan.com/lp/when-memory-fades-9781250400857/], out June 2, 2026.
