Alzheimer’s Patient Shows Clear Brain Scan After Treatment
A 75-year-old patient saw amyloid proteins vanish from her brain scan following 18 months of infusion therapy.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
Ruth Wetsell, a 75-year-old diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's, tested negative for amyloid protein buildup after 18 months of infusion therapy. The treatment was completed in June 2026 at Baptist Health.
Why it matters
The clearance of amyloid proteins is a primary objective for FDA-approved early-stage Alzheimer's treatments like lecanemab and donanemab. These therapies aim to slow cognitive decline by targeting the protein plaques associated with the disease.
The patient, a 75-year-old individual, underwent an 18-month regimen of infusion therapy to remove amyloid proteins. A subsequent PET scan confirmed that the amyloid protein buildup in the brain had been cleared.
The players
Ruth Wetsell
She is a 75-year-old patient who received infusion therapy for mild cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease.
Baptist Health
It is a network of healthcare providers that served as the location for the patient's medical care and infusion therapy.
The details
Ruth Wetsell began receiving infusion treatments in 2024 to address her mild cognitive impairment. After completing the 18-month course of therapy, a brain PET scan indicated no remaining amyloid protein, which had been previously detected during her initial diagnosis.
Timeline
2024: Ruth Wetsell began infusion treatments.
June 2026: Amyloid was cleared from the patient's brain scan after 18 months of treatment.
Health Landscape
This case follows the clinical pattern established by the FDA approval of lecanemab and donanemab for early-stage Alzheimer's patients. These treatments represent a shift in medical care focused on protein-clearing therapies to manage early disease progression.
Patients with early-stage Alzheimer's may discuss these infusion options with their neurologists to determine if protein-clearing treatments are appropriate for their specific case. Understanding the role of PET scans in monitoring disease progress is critical for those currently navigating treatment plans.
The takeaway
This case highlights the potential for intensive infusion therapy to eliminate protein markers associated with early-stage Alzheimer's. Patients should continue working with their healthcare teams to monitor cognitive health and understand how clinical results relate to daily functioning.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Alzheimer’s research and care protocols.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KATV.
