Drug May Reduce Plaque in Brains of Alzheimer’s Patients
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Rating
Drug May Reduce Plaque in Brains of Alzheimer’s Patients
Our Review Summary
We applaud the restraint the WebMD headline writer employed with “Drug May Reduce Plaque in Brains of Alzheimer’s Patients.” That’s about all you can say at this point, and the body text of the story explains why. In that regard, this story got off to a better start than its HealthDay competitor.
Why This Matters
This story was better in quantifying harms, but the HealthDay competition was better in explaining the history of this area of research and what else is now being investigated.
It would not have required much more effort or space for either news organization to pick up on the better parts of its competitor’s effort. Maybe they will compare and learn from this example. We hope so.
Criteria
Not Applicable
Not applicable. It’s understandable that costs wouldn’t be discussed at this early stage of research.
Satisfactory
Adequate explanation of results observed in study participants at different dosing levels.
More importantly, the story simply explained: “Since it’s not completely clear what reductions in brain plaques mean for Alzheimer’s patients, the researchers are unable to say whether treatment with gantenerumab will bring improvement to patients with Alzheimer’s. They are currently involved in a new study that they hope will answer that question.”
Satisfactory
Better than its HealthDay competition in that WebMD actually told us how many people experienced harms in the study.
Satisfactory
The story allowed a Roche senior VP to say the results “went beyond our expectations” but countered that with “What is not entirely known is if these plaques cause Alzheimer’s…Therefore, it’s not known if reducing the amount of them will slow or stop the disease.”
Satisfactory
No disease mongering at play here.
Satisfactory
The story added an important independent perspective and identified the study co-author as being a senior VP of the drug company making the drug.
Not Satisfactory
We preferred how HealthDay explained: “There are approximately one dozen therapies, including vaccines, that are currently in the pipeline….none are ready for prime time.”
Satisfactory
The story ends with an appropriate send-off: “We need more studies to know if it is safe or effective.” The early, experimental nature of the research is clear.
Not Satisfactory
The HealthDay competitor did a better job of explaining where this study fits in the history of research into beta-amyloid.
Satisfactory
There was clear evidence of independent reporting.
Total Score: 7 of 9 Satisfactory
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