New study highlights physician perspectives on emerging anti-amyloid treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in Israel

November 19, 2024 - Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel Aviv, Israel – In a recent study, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center has shed light on physician attitudes toward novel anti-amyloid treatments (ATT) for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), revealing a spectrum of opinions across key specialties. With Israel’s health system structured to provide universal healthcare, the high out-of-pocket costs for new AD therapies have raised questions among medical professionals about the feasibility and practicality of implementing these treatments.

The study, conducted by Dr. Noa Bregman and colleagues, is the first in Israel to examine how neurologists, geriatricians, and psychiatrists perceive the new ATT options as they are being introduced into clinical practice.

Key findings include:

• Mixed Confidence in Treatment Efficacy: Over 60% of surveyed physicians expressed skepticism about ATT’s ability to significantly alter AD’s progression.
• Specialty-Driven Differences in Referrals: Neurologists showed greater willingness to refer early-stage AD patients for ATT, while geriatricians and psychiatrists highlighted practical concerns, including costs, accessibility of biomarker tests, and the holistic management of elderly patients with comorbidities.
• Influential Factors in Referrals: Physicians emphasized patient age, financial status, and access to specialized diagnostics as critical considerations when evaluating suitability for ATT.

Dr. Shir noted, "While these innovative treatments offer potential benefits, the findings highlight the importance of addressing the financial and logistical barriers that may hinder broader adoption. Our study underscores the need for multidisciplinary collaboration to ensure comprehensive patient care and to maximize the potential of ATT in Israel."

The research team suggests that initiatives aimed at education, cost-benefit analysis, and improved insurance coverage are essential to enhance ATT accessibility and physician confidence. Establishing specialized AD treatment centers could further support equitable access to these therapies.

This study, published in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (Volume 102, Issue 3), serves as an important step towards understanding and overcoming the challenges of implementing cutting-edge AD treatments. For further information on the study or to arrange an interview, please contact the Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center’s media relations team.

About Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center is a leading healthcare provider in Israel, committed to excellence in medical care, research, and innovation. The Cognitive Neurology Unit is at the forefront of AD research and treatment, striving to improve patient outcomes and quality of life through advanced, patient-centered approaches.

About the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease

The Journal of Alzheimer's Disease (JAD) is an international multidisciplinary journal to facilitate progress in understanding the etiology, pathogenesis, epidemiology, genetics, behavior, treatment, and psychology of Alzheimer's disease. The journal publishes research reports, reviews, short communications, book reviews, and letters-to-the-editor. Groundbreaking research that has appeared in the journal includes novel therapeutic targets, mechanisms of disease, and clinical trial outcomes. JAD has a Journal Impact Factor of 3.4 according to Journal Citation Reports™ (Clarivate, 2024). The journal is published by IOS Press, now part of Sage.