Hope on the horizon: Advances in Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention
Meaningful progress is being made in the fight against Alzheimer’s disease, offering hope for both delaying its onset and slowing its progression. Experts estimate that up to 40-45% of diagnoses could be avoided or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors, representing a major victory for public health and offering individuals and families a chance at a fuller life.
Researchers have identified 14 key modifiable risk factors influencing Alzheimer’s development: low educational attainment, hearing loss, hypertension, physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, diabetes, depression, social isolation, air pollution, traumatic brain injury, and sleep disorders. Intervening on these factors through lifestyle changes is currently the most effective preventative measure.
Early diagnosis is becoming increasingly accessible thanks to a new blood test, a significant improvement over previous methods like lumbar punctures and PET scans which were expensive and less readily available. Though, population-wide screening isn’t currently recommended. The rationale is that, at present, early detection without effective intervention beyond lifestyle adjustments doesn’t offer a ample benefit – unlike screenings for some cancers where immediate treatment is possible.
Despite this, optimism is growing with the recent approval of two drugs, Lecanemab and Donanemab, by agencies like the European medicines Agency. These drugs target the accumulation of beta amyloid protein plaques, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s. While they don’t cure the disease or halt its progression entirely, clinical trials have demonstrated they can delay neurodegeneration by approximately six months over a 17-month study period. These drugs are expected to become available through national health services,possibly within two years in Spain.
The pipeline for future treatments is robust, with over 100 drugs currently in development, and numerous clinical trials underway involving more than 130 molecules already tested in humans. Innovative approaches, such as gene therapy – exemplified by the work of Tetraneuron Therapy – are also being explored, though these are in earlier stages of development and further research is needed to determine their efficacy in humans.
Despite past setbacks – over 100 drugs tested in humans before 2019 ultimately failed – researchers remain confident. As the expert quoted states, “This is how science works.” Looking ahead,the 2020s and 2030s are anticipated to be pivotal decades in dementia research,fueled by increased resources and talent,ultimately leading to the defeat of Alzheimer’s disease.
