Scientists are reporting significant progress in the early diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the leading cause of dementia in older adults.
Scientists have shared the latest advancements in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of this debilitating disease, which accounts for approximately 70% of dementia cases worldwide. The findings were made public in the publication Sciencealert.
Newly developed drugs donanemab (Eli Lilly) and lecanemab (Biogen and Eisai) have for the first time demonstrated the ability to slow the progression of the disease. However, their effectiveness is limited to the early stages of the illness, and they may cause serious side effects, including brain hemorrhages. National health authorities in different countries have adopted varying stances on their use and reimbursement.
In addition to medications, groundbreaking blood tests have emerged that can detect biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease. In the U.S., one such test has already been approved for use, whereas Europe is still conducting clinical trials and has not yet authorized it for widespread use. The possibility of early diagnosis could enhance treatment effectiveness, but a clinical examination is still required for definitive confirmation.
Experts note that risk factors such as obesity, smoking, alcohol, low physical activity, and hearing loss influence nearly half of all dementia cases. Healthy lifestyle programs may slow cognitive decline, but multi-year studies are needed to assess their true effectiveness.
According to specialists, the new treatment and diagnostic methods offer hope to patients and their families, and the progress of recent years is already considered significant compared to previous decades.
