Recent developments in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease are showing some progress, but experts caution that these advances are still limited. Alzheimer’s remains a complex form of dementia with multiple subtypes and often occurs alongside other types of dementia, making research and clinical breakthroughs gradual.
New blood-based tests, such as Lumipulse and Elecsys, have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to help detect proteins linked to amyloid plaques in the brain—one of the biological markers associated with Alzheimer’s. However, because some older adults without cognitive impairment can also have amyloid plaques, the FDA restricts these tests to individuals over 50 or 55 who already show signs of cognitive decline.
There are currently two main categories of treatment available for Alzheimer’s. The first includes medications like donepezil and memantine that aim to manage symptoms by affecting neurotransmitters in the brain. These drugs may provide improvements in memory, attention, or language for certain patients and offer some modest protective effects.
The second category is newer drugs designed to clear amyloid plaques from the brain. These treatments have shown an ability to slow disease progression and cognitive decline by 25% to 35%, though they do not stop the disease entirely. They also carry potential side effects and require ongoing monitoring through multiple brain MRIs as part of a comprehensive care plan.
Research into Alzheimer’s therapies has increased significantly due to these new drugs. Scientists are now investigating additional biological pathways beyond amyloid proteins as possible targets for future treatments. Dr. S. Thomas Carmichael, chair of neurology at UCLA Health, stated: “the field is filled with new hope and energy. We know that we can alter the course of the disease. Though this is modest, it is a pivot point that increases energy for other and distinct approaches that may more substantially reduce this disease.”
Individuals interested in learning more or submitting questions about Alzheimer’s diagnosis or treatment can contact UCLA Health Sciences Media Relations at their Los Angeles office.
