5 THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT ALZHEIMER’S IN 2024

2024 was a productive year for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research, including advancements in diagnosis, treatment and risk management. Here are five significant discoveries from this year:

U.S. FDA approves third new drug that slows the course of Alzheimer’s disease

In July 2024, people living with early Alzheimer’s and organizations such as the Alzheimer’s Association celebrated FDA approval of Kisunla, the third approval since 2021 of a treatment that slows progression and changes the underlying course of the disease.

Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO, Dr. Joanne Pike said, “This is real progress. [This FDA] approval allows people more options and greater opportunity to have more time. Having multiple treatment options is the kind of advancement we’ve all been waiting for.”

In this new era of treatment, there is an urgent need to better understand how new and future Alzheimer’s therapies work in real-world settings. That way, we can better understand their long-term health and safety outcomes in everyday settings. The Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) is a first-of-its-kind Alzheimer’s network dedicated to tracking real-world diagnostic and treatment outcomes. ALZ-NET also provides ongoing education and resources for clinicians, patients and families, helping them stay informed about the latest developments in Alzheimer's research and care.

Blood tests for Alzheimer’s could improve accuracy of diagnosis and speed access to treatment

Highly accurate blood tests for Alzheimer’s are moving closer to broader use in physician’s offices. Research reported this year suggests they may highly improve the accuracy of diagnosis and provide a quicker path to research participation and treatment.

Dementia is often underdiagnosed — and if it is diagnosed by a clinician, many people are unaware or uninformed of their diagnosis. Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are demonstrating in research that they could significantly improve a clinician’s accuracy and confidence, provide greater accessibility and a reason for more communication.

Blood tests that accurately and reliably detect Alzheimer’s-related brain changes signal a shift to simpler, more accurate and earlier detection and diagnosis, potentially superseding current methods that are expensive, invasive and not always accessible.

In one study reported this year, a specific blood test was around 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s in patients with cognitive symptoms seen in primary care and at specialized memory care clinics. Other research suggests that blood tests, once they are validated, could enhance recruitment for Alzheimer’s clinical trials and slash wait times for Alzheimer’s disease assessment. This research was funded in part by the Alzheimer’s Association.

Individuals and caregivers want more support after a dementia diagnosis

Following a dementia diagnosis, individuals and their care partners want and need help navigating the complex health care system. A 2024 Alzheimer’s Association survey revealed that 97% of dementia caregivers say they would find these services helpful. The survey found that a majority of dementia caregivers (70%) report that coordination of care is stressful.

In July, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services launched an eight-year pilot program in dementia care management. The Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model works with health systems and providers to deliver supportive services to people living with dementia. The primary aims of GUIDE are to (1) improve quality of life for people living with dementia, (2) reduce strain on their unpaid caregivers and (3) enable people living with dementia to remain in their homes and communities. The Alzheimer’s Association is participating in GUIDE. The new Dementia Care Navigation Service, powered by Rippl and the Alzheimer’s Association, is currently available in Illinois, Missouri, Texas and Washington. The service will roll out in more states in 2025 and beyond.

Wildfire smoke raises risk of dementia more than other air pollution

Research has found that exposure to air pollution is associated with increased risk of dementia. But a new study reported at AAIC 2024 suggests that breathing in wildfire smoke increases the risk of being diagnosed with dementia more than other types of air pollution. These results come from a decade-long study of more than 1.2 million people in southern California.

The study says air pollution produced by wildfires now accounts for more than 70% of total particulate exposure on poor air quality days in California, and calls it “a real problem.” The findings were most pronounced among individuals from minoritized groups and in high poverty areas.

Air pollution produced by wildfires might be more hazardous to health because: it is produced at higher temperatures, contains a greater concentration of toxic chemicals and, on average, is smaller in diameter than other sources. More research needs to be done to determine the exact mechanisms.

Scientists define Alzheimer’s by the physical changes in the brain

A group of scientists and clinicians convened by the Alzheimer’s Association published updated criteria for diagnosis and staging of Alzheimer’s based on the physical changes that happen in the brain due to the disease — not solely the well-known outward symptoms, such as memory loss.

Defining diseases by their biology has long been standard in many areas of medicine — including cancer, heart disease and diabetes. The new publication defines Alzheimer’s as a biological process that begins with brain changes before people exhibit memory and thinking problems. The authors state that progression and expansion of these changes lead to the later appearance of symptoms, such as memory loss, disorientation, trouble with planning or organizing, and mental confusion.

To learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and dementia research advances, plus available care, information and support resources — and to join the cause or make a donation — visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.