World Alzheimer’s Day: Mapping a Diagnostic and Therapeutic Future

World Alzheimer's Day, a part of Alzheimer's Month, is celebrated every September 21^st to redress stigma and raise awareness about Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia. The 2024 campaign centers around the theme: “Time to act on dementia, Time to act on Alzheimer’s.” Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) urges challenging the perception that dementia is part of normal aging. The 2024 theme is an apt reminder of the significance of a dementia-friendly society.

Alarming Figures

Diseases and injuries that affect the brain can cause dementia-Alzheimer’s is the most prevalent form of dementia. The numbers are staggering: The Alzheimer’s Association states that one in three older adults succumb to Alzheimer’s or other dementia and it takes more lives than breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. In March 2023, the WHO mentioned that over 55 million people are living with dementia globally, while 10 million new cases are added every year. Moreover, women account for 66% of deaths from Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia in the Americas.

At a time when dementia is the 7^th leading cause of death and a major cause of disability and dependency, it might be apt to assess if diagnostics and therapeutics could be worth the bet.

Alzheimer’s Diagnostics-are biomarkers an able Ally?

Healthcare professionals, neurologists, psychiatrists and geriatricians are optimistic about advancements in diagnosis and investments in novel therapeutic drugs as an essential step toward getting the appropriate treatment and care. The need for timely diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease has put the spotlight on biomarkers, which are used to quantify AD pathology in living people. The technology can foster differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, a trend suggesting Alzheimer’s Disease diagnostics market could witness innovations and technological advancements.

While researchers expect the discovery of accurate and accessible ways of Alzheimer’s disease that will enable an early diagnosis, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker tests and blood-based biomarkers have been invaluable in the diagnosis of AD. The latter has gained ground in the following:

• Diagnosis;

• Screening;

• Prognosis and disease staging;

• Copathology identification;

• Progression assessment

Navigating Blood-based Biomarkers

Researchers have upped efforts to find if measurable and consistent changes in levels of specific markers in the blood are linked with Alzheimer’s. Given the growing prominence of blood test specialty care centers and in boosting the design of clinical trials, blood-based biomarkers could bring a tectonic shift in the diagnostic process of AD. Although a host of techniques and tools may help physicians assess thinking and memory problems, observing cognitive decline may be a vital cog in Alzheimer’s diagnosis.

Lately, retinal imaging has come to the fore, as some researchers believe it can detect biological signs of AD within specific areas of the eye. Changes in the eye may be in tune with neurodegeneration in the brain, disease-linked processes and damage to the brain’s blood vessels.

Retinal imaging could be the game changer in providing a noninvasive, accurate, and cost-effective diagnosis.

What Does Alzheimer’s Therapeutics Tell?

Soaring dementia cases and the prevalence of psychological and anxiety, depression, hallucination and other behavioral changes among patients have underscored the significance of Alzheimer’s therapeutics. For instance, pipeline drugs have gained ground on the back of the surging prominence of multiple-disease-modifying therapies. Reports cited by the National Library of Medicine inferred that there have been 164 clinical trials assessing 127 drugs in 2024.

Meanwhile, cholinesterase inhibitors have received an impetus to help with memory and thinking problems and Alzheimer’s disease. In July 2024, the FDA reportedly gave a green signal to acetylcholinesterase inhibitor ALPHA-1062 to treat mild-to-moderate Alzheimer disease (AD) with expected minimal gastrointestinal adverse events. These trends suggest the Alzheimer’s therapeutics market is ripe for innovation.

Population Aging

The latest trends in population aging infer that the percentage of the global population aged 65 and above could be pegged at 16% in 2050, up from 10% in 2022. The UN notes that the number of older persons (aged 65 years or over) is likely to log 1.5 billion population in 2050. The burgeoning size of the older population alludes to rising cases of Alzheimer’s and the need to invest in diagnostics, treatment and care.

High time to act now

As Alzheimer’s Day gets underway, it is an opportune time to act for people with dementia to reinforce prevention and early diagnosis. The 2024 campaign will turn into a good account, raising awareness to help people get advice, information and support. The global awareness efforts are a good omen to foster research activities, enhance diagnosis rates, risk reduction and keep up with the demand for treatment. Indeed, a world without Alzheimer’s can be turned into reality.