For decades, Alzheimer’s has been a slow, devastating thief of memory, identity, and independence. Today, that story is beginning to change. Because of early diagnosis and treatment with Leqembi, my brain is now clear of beta-amyloid plaque, the very pathology that drives Alzheimer’s disease. This is not just a personal milestone; it is a profound scientific and human victory. For the first time, I am living proof that early detection combined with targeted therapy can alter the trajectory of Alzheimer’s, preserving the mind, the self, and the future once thought inevitable. 

What follows is a letter I wrote to Eisai, the maker of Leqembi. It is a deeply personal expression of gratitude to the scientists, clinicians, and leaders whose work made this outcome possible. Their commitment to early intervention and disease-modifying therapy did more than change test results, it changed the course of my life and my family’s future. This letter is my way of honoring the science, perseverance, and humanity behind that achievement.

 Dear Eisai Scientists and Team,

 I am writing to express my deepest gratitude to the scientists, clinicians, and leadership at Eisai whose work made Leqembi possible and whose commitment enabled me to receive this treatment.

In June 2024, after MRI imaging, abnormal amyloid and tau blood tests, and an amyloid PET scan, I was diagnosed with mild Alzheimer’s disease. I began Leqembi infusions and have now completed 36 treatments. Recently, I underwent a follow-up amyloid PET scan, the most precise test available to detect beta-amyloid plaque in the brain. The results were extraordinary: my scan is now negative for beta-amyloid, with quantitative measures in the normal range. This outcome would not exist without Leqembi.

 What this means to me goes far beyond test results. It means my memories, my reasoning, my sense of self, my very essence, remain intact. It means I am still me. Just as importantly, it means my daughter will not have to spend her retirement years caring for me as I slowly lose my mind. That gift is immeasurable.

 I understand this is not a cure. I know my brain may continue to overproduce beta-amyloid. But I also understand that Leqembi’s maintenance therapy can continue to intercept these toxic proteins before they form protofibrils, plaques, and tangles. Knowing that this ongoing treatment can prevent further damage, and preserve my independence, feels like an even greater blessing than I ever imagined possible when I was first diagnosed.

 Please know that your work has changed the trajectory of my life and my family’s future. You did not just develop a drug, you gave me time, clarity, dignity, and hope. For that, I am profoundly thankful.

With sincere appreciation,

Andrea Van Wickle

This is a critical health message for every adult over 60, and for anyone who loves one.

If you are over 60, or have parents, partners, or loved ones over 60, a cognitive assessment must become part of every annual physical NOW. We routinely check blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health, yet we neglect the most vital organ of all: the brain.

 A cognitive assessment takes less than 20 minutes, is largely verbal, noninvasive, and should cost nothing. Yet most seniors are never offered one. Why? Because for decades, doctors were trained not to suggest cognitive testing under the belief that “there was no cure, so what good would it do to know?”

 That reasoning is no longer true.

 There are now treatments that can slow Alzheimer’s disease, but they only work if the disease is caught early. Early detection also preserves something priceless: the brain’s ability to retrain itself and compensate for damage already done. Once that window closes, it cannot be reopened.

 This is why seniors must ask for cognitive testing. Do not wait for a doctor to suggest it. By the time symptoms are obvious, critical opportunities may already be lost.

 Early testing is not about fear, it is about protecting independence, dignity, and quality of life.

Ignoring the brain is no longer an option.

For those of you who are interested in the specifics, this is the report I received:

Huntington-Hill

Imaging Centers

EXAM DESCRIPTION: F-18 Futementamol (Vizamy) Brain PET-CT

TECHNIQUE: The GE Discovery MI PET-CT scanner was used, with 3D time-of-flight and digital detectors for PET and 64 detectors for spinal CT. 5.3 mCi F-18 flutemetamol was injected intravenously. Spinal CT was performed through the brain for the dual purposes of soft tissue attenuation correction and anatomic orientation. Emission PET scan was performed through the same region. Dose reduction technique with one or more of the following methods was performed: automated exposure control, adjustment of the mA and/or kV according to patient size, use of iterative reconstruction technique.

FINDINGS:

PET BRAIN REGIONAL ASSESSMENT:

Frontal lobes: Negative

Posterior cingulate and precuneus: Negative

Parietal convexities: Negative

Lateral temporal lobes: Negative

Striatum: Negative

Normal expect uptake is seen within the brainstem, cerebellum, and cerebral white matter.

QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT: The remarks in () are mine.

The cortex to cerebellar ration is 0.92 (normal <1.13)

(Ratios are always a little confusing to me.

Cortex

• The outer layer of the brain

• Responsible for thinking, memory, reasoning, and decision-making

• This is where amyloid builds up in Alzheimer’s disease

Cerebellum

• A part of the brain that usually does not accumulate amyloid

• Used as a “baseline” or reference.

 Think of it like comparing dust levels in two rooms:

• The cerebellum is the “clean reference room”

• The cortex is the room you’re checking

• My cortex has no more dust than expected, so the test is normal)

Centiloid: -10.7 cl (The centiloid scale (CL) is a standardized way to measure how much amyloid plaque is in the brain, so results are comparable across hospitals and scanners.

• 0 centiloids = normal amyloid levels (typical of healthy young adults)

• 100 centiloids = heavy amyloid buildup (typical of Alzheimer’s disease)

 A centiloid score of –10.7 is a reassuring, normal result and strongly argues against Alzheimer’s disease as the cause of cognitive symptoms. CL scale defines zero as the typical young adult. Another term might define zero CL as the “average” for a young cognitive normal person. To get an average of zero for a group of people some must have scores below zero and some above zero. The possibility of getting a negative CL score is below the typical young adult. I’m 83 years old so this score is amazing.)

 CT HEAD

There is no evidence of acute intracranial hemorrhage, acute territorial infarction, or mass. There is mild generalized cerebral volume loss. (This would be the damage done by Alzheimer’s before Leqembi).

 IMPRESSION:

Negative beta-amyloid PET examination of the brain, which makes diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease unlikely.