Top 5 Alzheimer’s discoveries scientists will make in 2024

With an estimated 6.9 million Americans age 65 and older currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, the road to a cure appears long and uncertain.

But as the year draws to a close, experts are reflecting on some of the hopeful advances in diagnosis, treatment and risk management that have been made in 2024.

The Alzheimer’s Association — a Chicago-based nonprofit organization committed to Alzheimer’s research, care and support — shared its top five breakthrough discoveries from the year.

1. Third new Alzheimer’s drug approved

2024 saw a new drug enter the dementia landscape, as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Kisunla (donanemab) in July.

This was the third new approval since 2021.

Kisunla, manufactured by Eli Lilly, is designed to “slow the progression and alter the underlying course of the disease,” according to the Society’s press release.

The once-monthly injection is intended for adults with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease.

This is the first drug that targets amyloid plaques — proteins that build up in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, often impairing memory and cognitive function — with evidence to support stopping therapy when the amyloid plaques are removed, a company said. release is declared.

“This is real progress,” said Alzheimer’s Association president and CEO Dr. Joanne Pike in a statement shared with Fox News Digital at the time.

“[This FDA] approval gives people more opportunities and greater opportunities to have more time. Having multiple treatment options is the kind of progress we’ve all been waiting for.”

2. Blood tests can improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis

Research this year has helped bring Alzheimer’s blood tests closer to use in doctors’ offices.

Studies have shown that blood tests can achieve higher diagnostic accuracy, which can help speed patients’ access to clinical trials and treatments, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

“Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are demonstrating in research that they can significantly improve a clinician’s accuracy and confidence, provide greater access and a reason for more communication,” the same source said.

In a study reported this year, a specific blood test was about 90% accurate in identifying Alzheimer’s in patients with cognitive symptoms seen in primary care and specialty memory care clinics, according to the Association.

3. Individuals and caregivers want more support after diagnosis

People who are newly diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers need more support in navigating the health care system.

That’s according to a 2024 Alzheimer’s Association survey, which found that 97% of dementia caregivers expressed a desire for those support systems.

Most dementia carers (70%) also noted that “coordinating care is stressful”.

To help address this, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in July 2024 launched an eight-year pilot program in dementia care management, called the Guiding Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model.

The program aims to work with health care systems to provide support services to people living with dementia and their caregivers, with a focus on helping patients stay in their homes and communities, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.

4. Fire smoke increases the risk of dementia

According to a 2024 study, air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of dementia.

The 10-year study, which was presented during the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Philadelphia in July, found that wildfire smoke can be “particularly dangerous” to brain health.

The research included more than 1.2 million people in southern California, an area that experiences frequent wildfire activity.

Air pollution produced by wildfires can be more dangerous to health because it is produced at higher temperatures, contains a greater concentration of toxic chemicals and is smaller in diameter than other sources, the Alzheimer’s Association said.

5. Alzheimer’s causes physical changes in the brain

In June 2024, scientists and clinicians published research that showed physical changes occurring in the brain due to Alzheimer’s disease.

“Defining disease by biology has long been standard in many areas of medicine—including cancer, heart disease, and diabetes,” the Alzheimer’s Association wrote.

“The new publication defines Alzheimer’s as a biological process that begins with brain changes before people develop problems with memory and thinking.”

These brain changes were found to precede typical outward symptoms, such as memory loss, confusion, disorientation, and problems with planning or organization.

Additional research and support resources from the Alzheimer’s Association can be found at www.alz.org.