Myra Solano Garcia, captured in Upland, California, 2024, continues her battle against Alzheimer’s disease by utilizing one of the two FDA-approved medications designed to alleviate its effects.

Zaydee Sanchez for NPR / @zaydee.s

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Zaydee Sanchez for NPR / @zaydee.s

Discover part 1 of Jon’s narrative.

Although current medications cannot cure Alzheimer’s, they often help in decelerating its progression.

“Everything seems to have stabilized,” remarks Myra Solano Garcia, age 66, who noticed memory issues in her 50s and received an Alzheimer’s diagnosis four years ago.

“I can still drive, manage my household duties, and cook,” she notes, emphasizing the ordinary activities that many engage in daily.

Garcia credits the medication donanemab, which she started taking as a participant in a clinical trial at the University of Southern California.

The drug gained FDA approval and is now sold as Kisunla since July 2024. It is one of two treatments introduced post-2023 that are designed to eliminate amyloid plaques in the brain, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease.

However, it’s uncertain if Kisunla is the definitive reason behind Garcia’s ability to maintain her current level of functioning.

“We can’t definitively say that taking this medication has prevented deterioration,” explains Dr. Lon Schneider, a professor at USC’s Keck School of Medicine and overseer of the donanemab trial.

Research indicates both Kisunla and its counterpart Leqembi can reduce cognitive decline in Alzheimer’s patients by over 25%. Yet, individual responses can vary greatly.

A life disrupted

Garcia grew up in New Jersey in a Cuban-American household filled with music. She pursued her passion for singing and studied it alongside piano in college.

As a performer, she took on prominent roles such as Maria in “West Side Story,” and graced the stages of Carnegie Hall and Fisher Hall.

Later, she transitioned to California, where she led fundraising initiatives for educational institutions.

In her early 50s, she began to experience troubling memory lapses.

Initially misdiagnosed with ADHD, she realized something was wrong as her memory declined further.

The crucial turning point occurred during the COVID pandemic when she started a new job.

“Three months later, I recognized my struggles. I couldn’t remember names or use technology effectively,” she recalls.

This led her to consult a neuropsychiatrist, who correctly diagnosed her with Alzheimer’s and referred her to specialists at USC.

Upon being asked to join the donanemab trial, she eagerly accepted.

A brain free of plaques

Garcia participated in monthly infusions, a process she found tolerable, despite being frustrated by the mental evaluations. After the trial ended, she chose to continue the treatment.

While there hasn’t been a restoration of her memory or cognitive function, she notes that her condition isn’t deteriorating significantly. Scans indicate that most of the beta-amyloid plaques in her brain have been cleared.

This improvement allows her the possibility of discontinuing Kisunla infusions.

Studies demonstrate it’s safe for doctors to “treat until plaques return to normal levels and then pause treatment, possibly resuming if plaques reappear,” according to USC’s Schneider.

This treatment strategy differentiates Kisunla from Leqembi, which was administered consistently throughout its clinical trials.

At USC, medical teams convene weekly to assess patient progress on Kisunla to identify candidates who might be eligible to pause their treatment.

Garcia was informed that she is one of those patients.

“I’m nearing the end of my infusions—it’s genuinely thrilling,” she expresses.

No cure in sight

Garcia acknowledges that her cognitive abilities are not as sharp as they once were.

“I struggle with numbers,” she admits. “I often forget names and what my husband shares with me.”

Returning to her fundraising career isn’t an option for her now, and she has lost much of her piano proficiency.

Nonetheless, Garcia manages her household, runs errands, and actively volunteers for the Alzheimer’s Association.

She also makes it a point to visit a local memory care facility weekly, where she performs for and engages with the residents.

“We begin with the Star Spangled Banner and transition into some cinema classics,” she shares, along with “Coming ‘Round the Mountain.”

Garcia reflects on the lessons learned from residents, most of whom are dealing with advanced Alzheimer’s.

“It’s a humbling experience, as they once knew all of these songs, and I understand that as time progresses, I may find myself in their position,” she reflects.

Yet, she remains hopeful that Kisunla will delay that day.