DONANEMAB (KISUNLA) TREATMENT FOR THE EARLY STAGES OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE
More Than Normal Ageing
Are you concerned about increased forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or changes in mood like anxiety or apathy, either in yourself or someone you care for?
Perhaps you’ve noticed increased confusion, especially in new places, or that everyday tasks are becoming more challenging. Other signs can include unexplained fatigue, vision difficulties or personality changes.
These changes can signal more than just normal ageing and are often linked to early-stage Alzheimer’s disease, which is believed to be caused by an abnormal accumulation of a protein in the brain called beta amyloid. Beta amyloid protein clumps together to form amyloid plaques. Amyloid plaques gather between nerve cells in the brain and cause damage to these cells.
What is Donanemab (Kisunla)?
Donanemab (Kisunla) is a disease-modifying therapy. It is a type of immune protein, known as an antibody, which attaches to the beta amyloid plaques. It helps reduce amyloid in the brain by attracting other immune cells to the amyloid, which can then remove amyloid from the brain.
On 22nd May 2025, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) listed donanemab (Kisunla) on the Australian Register for Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). This decision was based on a review of the safety and efficacy of donanemab (Kisunla).
NeuroCentrix has experience with donanemab (Kisunla), having been and continuing to be involved with the clinical trial since 2018. NeuroCentrix will offer a donanemab (Kisunla) treatment clinic initially at our Carlton (VIC) location.
What Are The Potential Benefits of Treatment?
Previous studies have shown that donanemab (Kisunla) can slow the progression of the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease by approximately 35 % over 18 months of treatment. This means the disease still progresses, but decline in memory, thinking, and daily function happens more slowly compared to people who do not receive treatment.
Starting treatment for Alzheimer’s disease as early as possible is believed to give the best chance of slowing down symptoms and this slowing of symptoms continues even after treatment is stopped.
Who is Eligible For Treatment?
To receive donanemab (Kisunla), patients must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- A confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease currently at the mild cognitive impairment stage or mild dementia stage
- An ApoE genetic blood test result showing no more than 1 copy of the ε4 variant
- A PET amyloid brain scan confirming the presence of amyloid in the brain
- A recent MRI brain scan (within the past 6 months) showing no increased risk of small brain bleeds or swelling in the brain. Patients must also be able to undergo regular MRI scans for monitoring.
If you are concerned about your memory but do not already have a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, we can arrange a consultation with a psychogeriatrician to check whether you have Alzheimer’s disease. If you have not previously had the required blood or imaging tests, we can arrange these tests for you.
What Does Treatment Involve?
Donanemab (Kisunla) is given as an intravenous infusion, which means the medicine is delivered directly into a vein in the arm. Each infusion occurs at our Carlton clinic and takes approximately 40 minutes, although patients may be at the clinic for up to 2 hours in total for monitoring. Patients receive one infusion every month, for up to 18 months, depending on how well they respond to the treatment. Approximately 1 in 3 people only require 6 months of treatment to reduce the amyloid levels and an additional 1 in 3 people only require 12 months of treatment.
At NeuroCentrix, donanemab (Kisunla) treatment is supported by a multi-disciplinary team. We closely monitor each patient for side effects, as well as cognitive and functional changes. Patients can also access psychological or psychiatric support on-site for mood and behavioural concerns. Beyond donanemab (Kisunla), we focus on optimising overall brain health throughout the treatment process.
If you would like to learn more details about donanemab (Kisunla) treatment and associated fees, please contact the NeuroCentrix Brain Health team on (03) 9546 0009 and choose option 3 for donanemab (Kisunla) or email: brainhealth@neurocentrix.com.au
Appointments & Enquiries
Contacting us is your first step towards being eligible for one of our current research studies, gaining access to potential new treatments and scheduling an appointment for psychology or psychiatry consultation.
Neurocentrix Head Office
- Suite 3 Level 1, 19-21 Argyle Place South, Carlton 3053
- brainhealth@neurocentrix.com.au
- 03 9546 0009
- 03 9959 8375
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