Lifelong Cognitive Engagement & Dementia Risk

The first study, published in Neurology, followed nearly 2,000 older adults for eight years, assessing how often they pursued activities that challenged their minds, like reading, writing, and learning new languages. Researchers asked the participants, who did not have dementia when the study began, to assess the prevalence of these “cognitive enrichment” activities during three different periods of their lives: youth, middle-age, and after age 80.

Participants with the highest lifetime cognitive enrichment scores showed:

• A 38% lower risk of acquiring Alzheimer’s compared to those with low scores.

• Approximately a 36% lower risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

• On average, they could delay the onset of Alzheimer’s by about five years, from 88 to 94 years old.

• Delayed onset of MCI by approximately seven years on average.

These effects remained after adjusting for age, sex, education, and other potential confounders , a sure sign that engaging the brain over a lifetime builds cognitive reserve, helping it to adapt and compensate as aging and neurodegeneration occur.

Importantly, this study did not prove that reading or writing is the only reason for a lower risk. But it does indicate a significant link between the two. As other studies have found, keeping your mind active through reading, writing, or other activities that challenge your brain, can help you stay sharp and maintain your cognitive function as you get older.

Handwriting as Cognitive Rehabilitation

Another recent study, published in Frontiers in Neurology, assessed several years’ worth of research on the topic and found that handwriting-based activities, such as keeping a journal, writing creatively, or using memory notebooks, can have real benefits for people with mild cognitive impairment. Benefits included not only improving cognitive function but also emotional well-being. Using writing as a form of therapy, people with mild cognitive impairment and dementia may be able to slow down the condition’s progression and improve overall quality of life. While this finding is promising, more studies are needed to fully understand the benefits of handwriting-based activities for people with cognitive impairment.

Key takeaways from the review include:

· Improving memory and focus: Writing can improve memory and encourage more efficient cognition, which is especially helpful for people with dementia. This is because writing uses parts of the brain that are often affected by dementia, and exercising these areas can make them stronger.

· Emotional and social benefits: Telling stories, writing in a journal, and creating poetry are especially beneficial. Not only do these activities help to sharpen the mind, but they can also encourage relaxation, self-expression, and self-awareness- factors that are key antidotes to memory loss.

· No special equipment or costs are required: Writing can be done from the comfort of home, or in a community setting with others. This makes it a great activity for people from any demographic or cultural tradition. For example, calligraphy classes combine memory exercises with physical movement, helping to keep both the mind and body active.

· Multimodal engagement matters: When writing is paired with other activities like games, reading, or physical tasks, the benefits for cognition, mood, and quality of life appear to be even stronger.

More than a fun activity, writing is a way to improve brain function and emotional health, and it can enhance social connections with other people.

Why Words May Protect the Brain

These studies all point to one thing: Staying mentally active, especially by doing things that test your memory, language, and problem-solving skills, can help your brain stay strong and resilient. This cognitive elasticity helps the brain cope with problems before they show up, helping to maintain proper functioning even in the face of some impairment. Through mental challenges and staying active, it’s possible to build cognitive reserve – the brain’s ability to resist damage and keep working properly.

Reading, writing, and language learning are especially potent because they engage multiple brain regions simultaneously, language networks, memory circuits, and attentional systems.

What This Means for Patients & Caregivers

For those dealing with dementia or who are at risk, this is good news: your brain can still respond to new things throughout your life. It’s never too soon, and often not too late, to make learning and mental activity a big part of your daily life.

Here are practical ways to harness the power of the written word:

• Read regularly, books, newspapers, short stories, whatever you enjoy.

• Write with intention, try journaling, storytelling, or even letters to loved ones.

• Learn something new, languages, poetry, creative writing classes, or a new genre.

• Combine activities, reading groups, writing circles, and game nights add social and cognitive enrichment.

The bottom line: There are no magic bullets for Alzheimer’s or dementia, but research has shown that the right mental activities can support brain health and improve quality of life. Keep learning and stay open to new things, don’t just sit back and absorb information without thinking about it. Nurture your curiosity, be creative, and stay connected with others – developing these habits over the long term can really help keep your mind healthy and sharp as you age.

Yet for every patient there’s a caregiver – often running on too little sleep and too much responsibility—whose life has irrevocably changed.

In our recent PatientsForACure.org national survey, 79 percent of caregivers said they made some or significant life or work changes because of Alzheimer’s caregiving. Only 13 percent said they made none.

Think about that. Nearly eight in ten families are rearranging careers, finances, living situations, and daily routines because someone they love desperately needs their help.

This is the hidden cost of Alzheimer’s. And it’s far greater than most people realize.

According to the Alzheimer’s Association, family caregivers average more than 20 hours of unpaid care per week. It’s likely far more for those caring for someone in the moderate stage—which defined nearly half of the respondents in our survey. The moderate stage is when responsibilities intensifie. Supervision becomes constant. Safety becomes a daily calculation. Medication schedules get more complicated. The patient’s confusion deepens and wandering from home becomes a risk.

At that point, patients need more than occasional help. They need constant, sustained vigilance.

And unlike a job, there’s no clocking out and little downtime. Your home is your workplace.

The Exhaustion No One Talks About

While caregivers face physical exhaustion every day, they often find their biggest source of fatigue is the constant need to make decisions under pressure.

The questions seem endless, and they’re all urgent:

• Is my parent safe at home?

• How do I prevent falls?

• What do I do about nighttime wandering?

• Are there lifestyle changes that can help right now?

• What does “moderate stage” actually mean for next month and the month after that?

Many survey respondents told us the hardest part of caregiving isn’t the work itself—it’s the back-and-forth with providers, the unanswered calls, the fragmented guidance. They are desperately searching for clarity and actionable steps: how to minimize risks to the patient and slow their decline; how to make the home safer, establish daily routines, and how to support brain health by adjusting diet, sleep, exercise, and social engagement.

Too often, survey respondents told us, they leave appointments without clear answers.

What “Life Changes” Look Like

So when caregivers say they’ve made significant life changes, what exactly does that mean?

It means cutting back work hours—or leaving a job entirely. It means declining promotions because they can’t take on even more responsibility. It means retiring earlier than planned to make time for caregiving. It means moving a parent into their home and possibly remodeling for safety. It means draining savings to cover care gaps that insurance won’t cover. It means negotiating with siblings or children to see who can relocate, who can handle finances, who can take the night shift.

Amid all this change, caregiving takes a hammer to family structures. It can decimate savings and wreck future dreams. Often, it happens gradually—until one day a caregiver wakes up to a life that looks completely different.

And yet, despite all these challenges, most caregivers say they would do it again. That’s the power of love.

What Caregivers Say They Need

Our survey made something else clear: caregivers are not asking for miracles. They’re asking for support.

They want:

• Clear, plain-language explanations of disease stage -- Nearly 20 percent of respondents said they were not sure of the patient’s Alzheimer’s stage.

• Comprehensive lifestyle guidance— Only 32 percent said they received comprehensive lifestyle guidance for the patient, despite strong evidence that diet, exercise, and cognitive/social engagement can meaningfully help.

• Help with the cost of care – 57 percent said the cost of Alzheimer’s care strongly or somewhat affects their decision-making.

• Better communication from providers – 56 percent said they lacked clear communication from providers.

• Access to clinical trials and emerging diagnostics – 47 percent said clinical trials were never discussed and 53 percent never received provider guidance on blood biomarker tests—despite these tools becoming more widely available and increasingly important for early detection.

• Emotional support and community – Fewer than 3 in 10 said they receive very adequate emotional support.

Caregivers don’t expect certainty. But they do expect information.

Finding Support

How can caregivers overcome the feeling that they are in this alone? Local Area Agencies on Aging, respite programs, hospital-based education initiatives, faith communities, and online support networks can offer meaningful relief and connection. Even something as simple as an afternoon of respite care, or a conversation with someone who understands can restore energy and perspective.

PatientsForACure.org exists to amplify these voices and to push for better systems of care. We understand that behind every Alzheimer’s diagnosis is a family adapting in real time. Alzheimer’s disease steals memories. But caregiving can quietly transform lives.

Nearly 80% of caregivers in our survey changed their work or life because of this disease. That statistic is not just data—it represents postponed dreams, altered careers, strained health, and extraordinary devotion.

If we are serious about addressing Alzheimer’s, we must look beyond the patient alone.

We must see, and support, the caregiver standing beside them.

That’s why a newly posted preprint from Apollo Health is worth a close look, but with a level head. The study reports that a precision-medicine program improved cognition in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or early dementia, while standard-of-care treatment did not.

While the study is not yet peer-reviewed, it suggests that Alzheimer’s treatment could potentially be more effective if it becomes more personalized.

What does Evanthea mean by “personalized”?

The Evanthea Trial was a randomized, multicenter, controlled clinical trial comparing the efficacy of a precision medicine protocol to the standard of care for treatment of Alzheimer’s. It was conducted at six sites across the United States with participants aged 45 to 76 who were treated at the MCI or early dementia stage (similar to the stage treated in trials for anti-amyloid drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla)

The interesting thing is the “precision” part of the trial. Instead of targeting one pathway, the “precision medicine” protocol, based on Apollo Health’s ReCODE/Bredesen approach, started with an in-depth, individualized workup to identify each participant’s main drivers of cognitive decline. These included metabolic and vascular risk factors, inflammation, sleep and lifestyle patterns, and contributors like biotoxins, oral microbiome issues, or tick-borne illnesses.

Treatment was then personalized through a coordinated program of medical interventions and lifestyle modification (nutrition, exercise, sleep, and coaching). A far cry from the usual one-size-fits-all use of drugs.

What did the trial find?

According to Apollo Health’s summary and the preprint, trial participants who received the precision-medicine protocol showed statistically significant improvements in several cognitive domains, including overall cognition, memory, executive function, and processing speed.

Apollo also reported that symptoms improved in ways noticed by both patients and their partners. That matters because test scores alone are less important than better day-to-day cognitive functioning.

The study also reported statistically significant improvements in multiple overall health measures, including blood pressure, body mass index, insulin sensitivity and hemoglobin A1c, lipid profiles (“cholesterol”) and methylation markers.

This is important because it’s increasingly clear that brain function is affected by more than plaques and tangles. Vascular health, inflammation, and metabolic health all appear to shape cognitive resilience over time.

273% more effective than Kisunla?

One of the most striking claims made by Apollo Health is that the overall effect of its protocol was greater than any other treatment for cognitive decline. In fact, the company claims that the protocol was 273% more effective [TS1] than the most effective of the three common Alzheimer’s treatments it compared, earning a 1.12 on the Cohen Efficacy Scale vs 0.3 for Kisunla, and lower scores for Leqembi and the US Pointer study’s structured lifestyle interventions.

That’s a bold claim that deserves our attention - but also our skepticism.

Comparing effect sizes across different trials is difficult because different studies include different patients, different testing methods, different timeframes, and different outcome measures. So while the Evanthea results may be promising, it’s too early to treat 273% better as a settled conclusion.

Still, the improvement described in the study is large enough that it should be taken seriously.

What happened to people on standard-of-care?

Apollo Health also highlighted that some patients whose health had been on the decline for 9 months despite adhering to the standard-of-care actually improved their cognitive scores after 6 months on the precision-medicine protocol.

As with the previous finding, this is notable but not proof. Once a study switches groups into a new treatment, it becomes harder to interpret cause and effect. Larger trials would be needed to provide real proof.

Bottom line

The Evanthea Trial is an ambitious attempt to test a different idea—that Alzheimer’s care may work best when we look for and address multiple drivers of decline, not just amyloid.

The early findings are encouraging. They highlight statistically significant improvements in several cognitive measures, plus improvements in broader health markers that matter for brain function. But this is still early evidence. The results are currently posted as a preprint, and peer review is still in progress.

My advice is, watch this closely, ask hard questions, and hope the findings hold up as larger studies are undertaken.

[TS1]Guy, this is from the table on What is the Evanthea Trial? - Apollo Health , improvement

By contrast, the results of two new lines of research in mouse models of Alzheimer’s are anything but modest. In the studies, experimental treatments didn’t just slow decline - they appeared to reverse memory problems and improve brain pathology, even when the disease was already advanced in the animals.

That can be a big deal. But it’s also important to say this clearly up front: This is not a cure for Alzheimer’s in people. Not yet.

What these studies do offer is something families rarely get from Alzheimer’s news, and a realistic reason to stay interested. That’s because the findings point to a different way of thinking about the disease, one that goes beyond simply clearing amyloid plaques.

What the new research reveals

Several research teams have reported results that, in mice at least, are hard to ignore.

1) A drug approach to improve cell health

In a study published this month in the journal Cell, researchers at Case Western University in Cleveland focused on an experimental compound called P7C3-A20, which affects levels of NAD⁺ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) — a molecule the body needs to keep cells functioning and producing energy.

In the mouse study, treatment was linked with a range of improvements, including:

• better cognitive performance

• reduced inflammation

• signs of healthier blood–brain barrier function

• better overall brain-cell health

Amazingly, the treatment appeared to help even when begun after damage in the mice was already significant. For caregivers and patients both, this point matters deeply. The one question families always ask is, once symptoms get worse is it already too late for treatment? Mouse studies can’t answer that question for us. But they can point researchers toward therapies that might someday help more than just the earliest cases.

2) Nanoparticles help stabilize the brain

Another study by researchers from China, Spain and the UK explored nanoparticle-based therapies designed to help the brain clear toxic proteins more effectively and support the blood–brain barrier.

Instead of relying on a drug to influence complex chemistry indirectly, this approach treats the brain almost like an environment that can be supported and stabilized. It improves the conditions that allow the brain’s own cleanup systems to do their job.

Here again, the key finding was remarkable. Researchers reported improvements that looked like genuine recovery, not just slower decline.

Why this matters — and why it’s still not a cure

When people read that “Alzheimer’s was reversed in mice,” the natural reaction is hope. But this is where Alzheimer’s research has broken hearts before. So here are the two truths that need to sit side by side:

- Yes, it’s exciting. These studies suggest something profoundly hopeful, that the Alzheimer’s brain may not be permanently “stuck.” Under the right biological conditions — healthier blood flow, less inflammation, better energy balance — even a damaged brain may be able to function better than expected. That’s a big idea for a disease that has long been framed as irreversible.

- No, it isn’t a cure (yet). These treatments were tested in mice, not humans. And Alzheimer’s is one of the clearest examples in medicine of a field where mouse results often fail to translate. Also, these compounds and nanoparticle technologies are experimental. They are not proven safe, tolerable, or effective in people. Human trials take years, and many candidates never make it that far.

So the honest takeaway is, it seems to be a clue.

A new perspective: maybe plaques aren’t the whole story

For decades, Alzheimer’s drug development largely revolved around one big assumption. That if you remove amyloid plaques, you can stop the disease.

But real-world results have complicated that story. Even the newest anti-amyloid drugs, while meaningful for some patients - tend to slow decline rather than stop it. And they work best early.

So a growing number of researchers have started asking a deeper question. What if plaques are a result of the disease process, not the engine driving it? That doesn’t mean amyloid is irrelevant. But it does mean we may have been looking at the wrong “center of gravity.” Amyloid plaques may be more like burnt wood after a fire than the fire itself.

What these newer mouse studies emphasize instead is the system surrounding the plaques:

• inflammation that doesn’t shut off

• blood vessels that stop delivering what brain cells need

• breakdown of the blood–brain barrier

• energy failure inside vulnerable brain circuits

In other words, Alzheimer’s may be as much about infrastructure failure as it is about protein buildup.

What you can do now

It’s tempting to read a mouse study and imagine human treatments around the corner. Unfortunately, even if these new approaches end up working for humans, FDA-approved treatments will be years in the future.

Still, these studies reinforce the importance of something very practical—brain health depends on basics that support blood flow, metabolism, and inflammation. Here are the lifestyle changes you can make today that evidence shows are most effective:

Eat for vascular health. A Mediterranean-style diet (whole foods, olive oil, fish, plants, etc.) supports circulation and metabolic function.

Protect your sleep. Sleep is when the brain clears metabolic waste. Poor sleep doesn’t just make you tired, it stresses the brain’s maintenance systems.

Move your body. Exercise improves blood flow, lowers inflammation, and supports cognitive resilience. It’s one of the few interventions with consistent evidence across many studies.

None of these changes are cures. But they are proven to support exactly the kinds of systems these new therapies are trying to restore.

Bottom line

The newest mouse studies don’t prove we’re on the verge of an Alzheimer’s cure.

But they do support a more hopeful and arguably more realistic direction. Rather than focusing solely on removing plaques, researchers are increasingly focused on helping the brain recover function by stabilizing energy use, blood flow, and immune balance.

That’s worth watching closely. And it’s a reminder that Alzheimer’s research is still moving, even if it rarely moves as fast as families deserve.

The short answer is yes, but not in the way you may have expected. There’s still no cure, and no major breakthroughs that could lead to one soon. Instead, 2025 brought steady, meaningful progress in three areas that should matter deeply to us: earlier diagnosis, more practical treatments, and stronger evidence that risk can be reduced.

Let’s break it down.

Does Targeting Amyloids Help?

Two drugs already approved by the FDA—Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donanemab)—have been the focus of much hope, and they remained the center of attention in 2025.

These drugs work by removing amyloid, a sticky protein that builds up plaque in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and disrupts normal cellular functions. Large studies show the drugs can slow down the disease’s damage to memory and thinking by about 25-30% in people with early-stage disease. They don’t stop Alzheimer’s, but they may slow its progression.

In 2025, treatment with Lequembi and Kisunla became a little easier:

• The FDA approved a weekly at-home injection for Leqembi after patients complete their initial infusion phase. The first-ever at-home option for ongoing Alzheimer’s makes treatment more convenient by reducing travel and clinic visits.

• Kisunla’s “treat-to-clearance” approach showed it could slow decline for as long as three years by clearing amyloids.

Despite this good news, both drugs’ limitations also became clearer. They don’t help everyone, and they can cause worrisome side effects, including brain swelling or bleeding in some patients. Moreover, if taken after symptoms become severe, they have little effect.

The takeaway: amyloid drugs help some people, some of the time—but they are not a cure.

Some High-Profile Trials Failed

Maybe the most disappointing news of the year was that some much-hyped drugs didn’t work. These included semaglutide, one of the GLP-1 “super drugs” for diabetes and weight loss, and ALZ-801, which works by preventing the development of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers, a substance similar to amyloid plaques.

These failures were disappointing, but they reinforced an important lesson. Alzheimer’s is not caused by a single problem. So targeting any one of the processes that contribute to its development: metabolism, inflammation, or amyloid, is unlikely to be enough.

Instead, researchers are increasingly testing combination treatments that address multiple disease processes at once.

A Major Breakthrough: Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s

One of the most important changes in 2025 addressed diagnosis rather than treatment. For the first time, the FDA approved blood tests that can help detect Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain. These tests measure proteins linked to amyloid and tau, another hallmark of the disease.

Blood tests are much easier and less expensive than spinal taps or PET scans, the standard diagnosis methods. They also make earlier diagnosis a more realistic possibility. And they help doctors track how well treatments are working, once started.

Two tests were cleared in 2025, including one approved for use in primary care settings.

It’s important, though, to remember that these are not simple yes-or-no tests. They’re meant to be used alongside medical evaluation. Still, they mark a turning point in the diagnosis and tracking of Alzheimer’s progression, making tests far more accessible.

People Definitely Want Early Diagnosis

A national survey by the Alzheimer’s Association found that nearly 80% of adults over 45 want to know if they’re developing Alzheimer’s before symptoms start to disrupt their lives. Over 90% would take a simple blood test if it was made available. And a majority would take Alzheimer’s drugs even if they had a moderate or high risk of side effects.

The survey responses show that people are becoming less afraid and more proactive about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, according to Elizabeth Edgerly, director of community programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, who was interviewed by NPR. Two recent changes that explain why the disease may be a little less scary for many people are those we’ve covered: the ease of diagnosis via blood tests, and the availability of drugs to treat early disease.

Can Alzheimer’s Risk Really Be Reduced?

2025 added weight to the idea that Alzheimer’s risk is not entirely predetermined.

A large U.S. study called POINTER showed that structured lifestyle programs—combining exercise, nutrition, cognitive training, coaching, and social engagement—led to measurable improvements in thinking and memory for older adults at risk of decline. In fact, the study found the effects went beyond improved cognition to include better blood pressure regulation and reduced sleep apnea respiratory events.

More good news came from a major study in Wales that found that people who received the shingles vaccine were about 20% less likely to develop dementia over the following seven years. The research, published in Nature and Cell, suggests that immune health may play a role in long-term brain health. However, while the study indicates the shingles vaccine may have a protective effect, it’s too early to consider it an Alzheimer’s or dementia prevention strategy.

These findings don’t mean lifestyle changes or vaccines can prevent Alzheimer’s outright. But they do suggest that small, practical actions may have a significant effect over time.

How does the Future Look?

By the end of 2025, more than 180 Alzheimer’s clinical trials were underway worldwide. Many are testing combination therapies, repurposed medications, and new targets beyond amyloid.

At the same time, researchers warn that cuts to federal research funding under the Trump Administration risk slowing or altogether stopping promising work. Progress against the disease requires long-term investment and interruptions can erase years of effort, making it nearly impossible to resume research, once stopped.

The Bottom Line for 2025

As much as we hoped it would, 2025 didn’t deliver a miracle. But it did deliver something more realistic:

• Easier access to diagnosis

• More manageable treatment options

• Better evidence that risk can be influenced by practical changes

• A research pipeline that’s broader than ever

For families living with Alzheimer’s, progress can feel painfully slow. But this year helped lay the groundwork for care that is earlier, more personalized, and more humane.

That matters, and it’s worth holding onto.

Based on a survey of 300 patients and caregivers, the findings show a clear pattern: caregiving disrupts nearly every aspect of life, communication from providers is inconsistent, emotional and financial support is often missing, and access to emerging diagnostics and clinical trials is uneven. Many families are navigating moderate to severe disease without clear guidance on what comes next. Women, who make up the majority of caregivers, receive less information than men despite carrying more responsibility

What families say they need most is not abstract innovation. They want clearer communication, lower costs, better emotional support, and practical guidance they can actually use.

This research is a reminder that improving Alzheimer’s care is not just about new treatments. It is about fixing the everyday gaps that shape real lives.

The short answer is yes, but not in the way you may have expected. There’s still no cure, and no major breakthroughs that could lead to one soon. Instead, 2025 brought steady, meaningful progress in three areas that should matter deeply to us: earlier diagnosis, more practical treatments, and stronger evidence that risk can be reduced.

Let’s break it down.

Does Targeting Amyloids Help?

Two drugs already approved by the FDA: Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donanemab), have been the focus of much hope, and they remained the center of attention in 2025.

These drugs work by removing amyloid, a sticky protein that builds up plaque in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s and disrupts normal cellular functions. Large studies show the drugs can slow down the disease’s damage to memory and thinking by about 25–30% in people with early-stage disease. They don’t stop Alzheimer’s, but they may slow its progression.

In 2025, treatment with Lequembi and Kisunla became a little easier:

• The FDA approved a weekly at-home injection for Leqembi after patients complete their initial infusion phase. The first-ever at-home option for ongoing Alzheimer’s makes treatment more convenient by reducing travel and clinic visits.

• Kisunla’s “treat-to-clearance” approach showed it could slow decline for as long as three years by clearing amyloids.

Despite this good news, both drugs’ limitations also became clearer. They don’t help everyone, and they can cause worrisome side effects, including brain swelling or bleeding in some patients. Moreover, if taken after symptoms become severe, they have little effect.

The takeaway: amyloid drugs help some people, some of the time - but they are not a cure.

Some High-Profile Trials Failed

Maybe the most disappointing news of the year was that some much-hyped drugs didn’t work. These included semaglutide, one of the GLP-1 “super drugs” for diabetes and weight loss, and ALZ-801, which works by preventing the development of amyloid beta (Aβ) oligomers, a substance similar to amyloid plaques.

These failures were disappointing, but they reinforced an important lesson. Alzheimer’s is not caused by a single problem. So targeting any one of the processes that contribute to its development—metabolism, inflammation, or amyloid—is unlikely to be enough.

Instead, researchers are increasingly testing combination treatments that address multiple disease processes at once.

A Major Breakthrough: Blood Tests for Alzheimer’s

One of the most important changes in 2025 addressed diagnosis rather than treatment. For the first time, the FDA approved blood tests that can help detect Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain. These tests measure proteins linked to amyloid and tau, another hallmark of the disease.

Blood tests are much easier and less expensive than spinal taps or PET scans, the standard diagnosis methods. They also make earlier diagnosis a more realistic possibility. And they help doctors track how well treatments are working, once started.

Two tests were cleared in 2025, including one approved for use in primary care settings.

It’s important, though, to remember that these are not simple yes-or-no tests. They’re meant to be used alongside medical evaluation. Still, they mark a turning point in the diagnosis and tracking of Alzheimer’s progression, making tests far more accessible.

People Definitely Want Early Diagnosis

A national survey by the Alzheimer’s Association found that nearly 80% of adults over 45 want to know if they’re developing Alzheimer’s before symptoms start to disrupt their lives. Over 90% would take a simple blood test if it was made available. And a majority would take Alzheimer’s drugs even if they had a moderate or high risk of side effects.

The survey responses show that people are becoming less afraid and more proactive about an Alzheimer’s diagnosis, according to Elizabeth Edgerly, director of community programs for the Alzheimer’s Association, who was interviewed by NPR. Two recent changes that explain why the disease may be a little less scary for many people are those we’ve covered: the ease of diagnosis via blood tests, and the availability of drugs to treat early disease.

Can Alzheimer’s Risk Really Be Reduced?

2025 added weight to the idea that Alzheimer’s risk is not entirely predetermined.

A large U.S. study called POINTER showed that structured lifestyle programs—combining exercise, nutrition, cognitive training, coaching, and social engagement—led to measurable improvements in thinking and memory for older adults at risk of decline. In fact, the study found the effects went beyond improved cognition to include better blood pressure regulation and reduced sleep apnea respiratory events.

More good news came from a major study in Wales that found that people who received the shingles vaccine were about 20% less likely to develop dementia over the following seven years. The research, published in Nature and Cell, suggests that immune health may play a role in long-term brain health. However, while the study indicates the shingles vaccine may have a protective effect, it’s too early to consider it an Alzheimer’s or dementia prevention strategy.

These findings don’t mean lifestyle changes or vaccines can prevent Alzheimer’s outright. But they do suggest that small, practical actions may have a significant effect over time.

How does the Future Look?

By the end of 2025, more than 180 Alzheimer’s clinical trials were underway worldwide. Many are testing combination therapies, repurposed medications, and new targets beyond amyloid.

At the same time, researchers warn that cuts to federal research funding under the Trump Administration risk slowing or altogether stopping promising work. Progress against the disease requires long-term investment and interruptions can erase years of effort, making it nearly impossible to resume research, once stopped.

The Bottom Line for 2025

As much as we hoped it would, 2025 didn’t deliver a miracle. But it did deliver something more realistic:

• Easier access to diagnosis

• More manageable treatment options

• Better evidence that risk can be influenced by practical changes

• A research pipeline that’s broader than ever

For families living with Alzheimer’s, progress can feel painfully slow. But this year helped lay the groundwork for care that is earlier, more personalized, and more humane.

That matters & it’s worth holding onto.

A new study from Northwestern University helps explain why. The researchers followed a group of men and women in their 80s known as SuperAgers - people whose cognitive performance matches that of someone thirty years younger. All of the study’s participants shared one common characteristic – a habit of nurturing warm and consistent social connections. They were more engaged with friends, more likely to maintain close relationships, and more inclined to stay socially active. The scientists cound’t conclusively prove that social connectivity protects against memory decline. But the study highlights the importance of social ties as a potentially powerful means of staying cognitively resilient well into older age.

Why Social Engagement Might Matter

Social engagement works on many levels at once. It encourages physical activity, even if only a walk with a friend. It requires the brain to work to follow a conversation, interpret facial expressions, or remember details. And it supports emotional well-being, helping to reduce stress, loneliness, and depression, all of which are linked to Alzheimer’s.

Social engagement may also support what researchers are calling cognitive reserve - the idea that staying mentally and socially active helps the brain delay the early biological changes of Alzheimer’s. There’s no biomarker for cognitive reserve, no scan that can measure its strength. But decades of observational studies suggest that people with more active social lives may be better able to delay the onset of symptoms even when underlying disease is present.

The Inequality Factor

Sadly, though, not everyone has easy access to social connections. In an October 2025 study, researchers examined how social and environmental inequality may contribute to Alzheimer’s risk. When people are chronically stressed by factors like economic instability, unsafe neighborhoods, or poor access to community resources, they tend to have fewer opportunities for healthy social engagement. Moreover, each of these stressors can amplify other risk factors such as high blood pressure, unhealthy diets, and minimal exercise. It’s a reminder that Alzheimer’s prevention is not merely about personal choices; it’s also shaped by our environment and our social status.

Some Important Caveats

Alzheimer’s research is rife with encouraging but incomplete studies, and this one is no different. Scientists still don’t know the ideal timing of lifestyle interventions, for instance. Miia Kivipelto, a leading dementia researcher interviewed in Scientific American, suggests the most impactful time for interventions might be middle age, when people begin to accumulate vascular and metabolic risk factors. But she also stresses that “it’s never too late to start.” Determining which factors are most important changes as we age. Stress and sleep appear more important risk factors earlier in life; social isolation becomes more influential as people grow older.

Another limitation: Researchers are unable to track all the biological pathways involved in Alzheimer’s. So far, they’ve been unable to follow large enough groups for long enough to know which interventions matter most. Cognitive reserve remains a promising theory, but we can’t measure it, and we don’t know precisely how lifestyle habits influence it over time.

What This Means for You

No single lifestyle change guarantees protection from Alzheimer’s. But the evidence continues to point in the same direction: the combination of healthy eating, regular movement, meaningful relationships, adequate sleep, and stress management helps support long-term brain health.

Among these habits, social connection may be one of the easiest to cultivate, and certainly the most enjoyable. Connections can be as simple and fun as a weekly lunch date with a friend; a class at the community center; volunteering for a group you admire; or simply calling a friend to share your day. These small steps, taken together over many years, could help build the kind of cognitive resilience seen in SuperAgers.

In the end, Alzheimer’s risk is shaped by many forces, biological, social, and environmental, but nurturing relationships is something within reach for most of us. And according to the growing research, it may be one of the most meaningful investments we can make in our future selves.

It’s an exciting idea. Originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, the drugs began to gain attention for their weight loss effects. Recently, researchers have been exploring GLP-1 effects on multiple diseases including cardiovascular disease, metabolic liver disease and arthritis. It turns out the way our bodies handle blood sugar, inflammation and vascular health has an impact, not surprisingly, on the brain.

Could they also help prevent Alzheimer’s? That question has driven a surge of research and recent results are more mixed than early studies suggested.

Here’s where things stand right now.

A Closer Look at Metabolism and the Brain

Alzheimer’s disease is complicated, but one pattern continues to emerge: people with long-term metabolic problems like insulin resistance and chronic inflammation tend to face a higher risk of cognitive decline as they age. Neurologists sometimes call this decline “type 3 diabetes” as a reminder that the brain depends on steady, well-regulated energy.

GLP-1 drugs were designed to deal with that metabolic issue. They work by improving the body’s response to insulin, by calming inflammation, and by strengthening the blood vessels that carry glucose and oxygen. Since the brain is supported by the same metabolic system, researchers wondered whether the drugs could also stabilize its performance over the long haul.

Researchers are now beginning to answer that question, but with less encouraging results than we hoped.

What the Cleveland Clinic Found

https://consultqd.clevelandclinic.org/two-antidiabetic-drug-classes-may-curb-alzheimers-risk

Investigators at the Cleveland Clinic compared Alzheimer’s rates among more than 1.8 million older adults who were taking different diabetes medications. They focused especially on two drug classes: GLP-1 receptor agonists and SGLT2 inhibitors.

Their findings are striking. People taking GLP-1s had a roughly 15–20% lower chance of developing Alzheimer’s over time compared with people using other treatments. The effect grew stronger the longer patients used the medication and the better their glucose levels were overall.

While that’s not definitive proof that GLP-1s prevent Alzheimer’s, it suggests that stabilizing the metabolic system may influence the disease’s trajectory.

New Clinical Trials Temper Expectations

More recent randomized clinical trials have complicated that picture. According to reporting in Science News, multiple large studies testing GLP-1 drugs in people with Alzheimer’s disease found no meaningful slowing of cognitive decline.

Despite improvements in blood sugar and other metabolic markers, patients receiving GLP-1s did not experience better memory or slower disease progression than those on placebo.

These results suggest that while metabolic health may influence Alzheimer’s risk over decades, GLP-1 drugs do not appear to alter the course of the disease once symptoms are present.

How GLP-1s Might Still Inform Alzheimer’s Research

Scientists are still puzzling out a single explanation for this, but they’re exploring a few possibilities:

• Energy use in the brain: When cells have insufficient levels of glucose, they become vulnerable to cognitive decline. GLP-1s may help restore healthy signaling.

• Inflammation: Inflammation leads directly to the development of vascular plaques that constrict the flow of blood. Lower inflammation means less damage to blood vessels and brain tissue.

• Blood vessel function: The brain is packed with tiny vessels. Even small improvements in blood flow may help preserve cognitive function.

What the new trial data make clear is that improving these systems alone may not be enough to slow Alzheimer’s once the disease is underway. Still, these pathways remain important for understanding long-term risk.

What This Means for People Today

Doctors will not be prescribing GLP-1 drugs to ward off Alzheimer’s anytime soon. Larger, well-controlled trials have now shown that these medications do not slow cognitive decline in people who already have the disease. GLP-1s also carry side effects and remain costly for many patients.

Still, the broader lesson is that metabolic health matters for brain health. Managing blood sugar, blood pressure, inflammation, sleep, physical activity, and social connection continues to be one of the strongest evidence-based strategies for reducing Alzheimer’s risk over a lifetime.

GLP-1s are not a cure or a shortcut. But the research around them has helped sharpen our understanding of what Alzheimer’s is—and what it is not. That clarity is essential if we are to make real progress toward prevention and treatment

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A major new study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry followed more than 10,000 Australians aged 70 and older, all without dementia when the study began. Over several years, researchers tracked their music habits and their cognitive health. The results were surprising:

• Those who said they “always” (vs. “never,” “rarely” or “sometimes”) listened to music had about a 39% lower risk of developing dementia.

• Participants who regularly played a musical instrument saw about a 35% lower risk.

• Those both listened and played had about a 33% lower risk of dementia and a 22% lower risk of milder cognitive decline.

The takeway? The more often people engaged with music, the better their odds of keeping their minds sharp and intact.

Researchers were careful to note that their findings don’t prove causation – it’s possible that people with healthier brains simply tend to enjoy music more. Still, the connection was strong enough to merit attention.

“With no cure currently available for dementia, the importance of identifying strategies to help prevent or delay onset of the disease is critical,” said study senior author Professor Joanne Ryan of Monash University in Australia. “Evidence suggests that brain ageing is not just based on age and genetics but can be influenced by one’s own environmental and lifestyle choices.”

Why music might help

Listening to or playing music engages nearly every part of the brain including the regions involved in hearing, movement, emotion, and memory. This multi-level engagement builds “cognitive reserve,” meaning the brain develops new neural pathways and flexibility to help it cope with aging and disease.

Most of us experience this process in action whenever a familiar song instantly calls up a memory. Music strengthens the same networks that help us recall past events, get in touch with our feelings, and focus our thoughts.

Playing an instrument is even more effective. It’s a full-brain workout that combines motor coordination, pattern recognition, and emotional engagement. Even if you haven’t played in years, picking up an old instrument or learning a new song might be one of the most powerful ways to support brain health.

Music joins a growing list of protective lifestyles and habits

This study adds to a long line of research showing that lifestyle choices are major contributors to brain health. Just as regular exercise improves blood flow to the brain, or a Mediterranean-style diet fights inflammation, musical engagement seems to offer its own protective boost.

The takeaway is heartening: It’s never tnot too late to make a difference. Even into your 70s the brain remains adaptable, and small, enjoyable habits can build real resilience over time.

How to make music part of your brain health plan

You don’t have to become a musician to benefit from the positive effects of music. Try starting with one or two of these ideas:

1. Make music a daily habit. Turn on your favorite playlist while cooking, driving, or relaxing before bed.

2. Pick up an instrument. Even ten minutes a day of guitar, piano, or flute practice can jolt dormant circuits awake.

3. Join a group. Community choirs and drumming circles combine the benefits of music and social connection - a double benefit for the brain.

4. Sing along. Singing activates memory and language networks and improves your mood.

5. Choose music that means something to you. Emotional connection strengthens the neurological effects of music.

Most importantly, make it enjoyable. The goal isn’t to perform - it’s to engage.

At PatientsForACure.org, we’ve often highlighted how exercise, good nutrition, sleep, and social connection all build brain resilience. Now we know that music fits into that same picture, bringing joy, connection, and stimulation all at once.

So put on some music that moves you, your brain will thank you later.

It doesn’t need to be that way. Neurologists have developed a logical, evidence-based sequence of monitoring, testing, and therapeutic decisions based on your symptoms and the disease’s progression. The following is a timeline that can help guide conversations with your neurologist, primary care doctor, or memory care team.

0–6 Months: Getting Oriented (Early / Mild Stage)

Confirming the diagnosis and establishing a baseline

Once early Alzheimer’s or mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s is confirmed, the first step is to document where things stand right now. That means setting a “baseline” for both cognition and overall health so that future changes can be tracked accurately.

Key steps usually include:

1. Cognitive and neuropsychological testing – to assess memory, language, problem-solving, and spatial awareness. These results become your reference point for the future.

2. Routine labs and vascular risk screening – to rule out other causes of memory loss (like thyroid issues, vitamin B12 deficiency, infections, or metabolic problems) and to check for heart and blood vessel risk factors that can speed up decline.

3. APOE genetic testing (optional) – this can clarify risk, though it doesn’t determine your fate. Discuss with your clinician before testing.

4. Biomarker confirmation – doctors may use one or more of the following:

   • CSF testing: measuring amyloid and tau proteins in spinal fluid.

   • Amyloid PET scan: imaging that shows amyloid buildup in the brain.

   • Blood tests: a new generation of plasma biomarkers, such as the FDA-cleared pTau217/Aβ42 test, can now confirm Alzheimer’s biology with a simple blood draw.

5. MRI of the brain – to rule out stroke, tumors, or other structural causes and to assess changes in the hippocampus and memory regions.

Once these steps are done, your care team can start to personalize treatment and support.

Starting treatment

Most people with early Alzheimer’s begin a cholinesterase inhibitor (donepezil, rivastigmine, or galantamine). These drugs don’t stop the disease but can slow memory loss for a time.
As symptoms advance, doctors may add memantine, which works through a different pathway to support brain function.

6–24 Months: Monitoring and Adjusting

During the first two years, the focus shifts to tracking changes and adjusting care.

• Repeat testing every 6–12 months helps detect shifts in attention, planning, or daily functioning — not just memory.

• Biomarker re-checks may be done in some cases, especially if blood tests are available or if you’re in a research study.

• Addressing other health issues — like blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol, sleep apnea, and exercise — remains critical.

• Clinical trials: this is often the best time to consider joining one. Early-stage patients may qualify for studies of new Alzheimer’s drugs and treatments.

2–5 Years: Transitioning to the Moderate Stage

If the disease continues to progress, treatment may need to be stepped up.

• Add or adjust medications: if you’re not already on memantine, this is often the time to start.

• New disease-modifying therapies:

  • Leqembi® (lecanemab) was approved in 2023 for early Alzheimer’s.

  • Kisunla™ (donanemab) followed in 2024.
    These antibody treatments target amyloid plaques and have been shown to modestly slow decline when started early.

• Monitoring: these drugs can cause side effects such as brain swelling or small bleeds (ARIA), so MRI scans are done regularly during treatment.

• Follow-up cadence: most patients are seen every six months, with repeat cognitive and safety checks.

If symptoms worsen unexpectedly, your doctor might repeat imaging or advanced biomarker testing to better understand what’s happening.

5+ Years: Moderate to Advanced Disease

As the disease moves into later stages, priorities shift. The goal becomes comfort, safety, and quality of life.

• Continue existing medications if they help with daily function.

• Focus on nutrition, preventing falls, managing agitation or depression, and supporting sleep and mood.

• Repeating advanced biomarker tests is usually no longer helpful.

• Engage caregivers and loved ones in care planning, advance directives, and palliative support when needed.

At a Glance: What Happens When

Period

Key Tests / Monitoring

Focus of Care

Notes

0–6 months

Cognitive testing, MRI, labs, optional APOE and biomarker testing

Start first medications

Confirm diagnosis and set a baseline

6–24 months

Repeat testing, optional biomarker updates

Adjust therapy, manage comorbidities, consider trials

Detect early acceleration

2–5 years

More frequent visits, possible antibody therapy

Combine meds, monitor side effects

Watch for ARIA and new symptoms

5+ years

Ongoing functional monitoring

Comfort care, quality of life

Support for caregivers and patients

Important Things to Keep in Mind

• Biomarkers aren’t perfect: false positives and negatives happen. Always interpret results in the context of symptoms.

• Access and cost vary: PET scans and spinal taps aren’t available everywhere, but new blood tests are helping close that gap.

• Treat early: antibody therapies and cognitive supports work best before major brain cell loss occurs.

• Everyone’s journey is unique: some people decline slowly for a decade; others progress faster. Use this roadmap as a guide, not a prediction.

Alzheimer’s is a long and difficult journey for patients and their families. But having this staged roadmap can enable a more proactive approach to the disease. It’s reassuring to know when to ask for a biomarker test, when to consider enrolling in a clinical trial, or when to add or shift therapies. These clear and timed steps won’t cure the disease, but they may help to slow its progression. Just as important, they can be the key to relieving the stifling emotional burden of fear and uncertainty.

Riboflavin fuels the brain’s energy factories and supports cellular repair, both of which tend to falter with age. The study, published in Frontiers in Nutrition, has its limitations—it relied on a single day of self-reported food data—but the findings fit a larger pattern. A growing body of evidence suggests that certain vitamins and nutrients may help buffer the brain against age-related decline.

There’s no silver bullet, but several supplements have shown measurable promise.

Multivitamins: Small Gains That Add Up

Daily multivitamin use appears to slow the brain’s natural aging process. In large placebo-controlled trials, including one led by researchers at Mass General Brigham, older adults taking multivitamins performed as if their brains were about two years younger than those on placebo.

Multivitamins don’t work magic—they simply help fill the small nutritional gaps that can accumulate over time. They deliver a steady mix of micronutrients such as B vitamins, antioxidants, and minerals that support neurotransmitter function and protect brain cells from oxidative stress. Think of them as maintenance rather than medicine.

B Vitamins: Repairing the Brain from Within

Folate (B9), B6, and B12 have attracted special attention because they lower homocysteine, an amino acid linked to brain shrinkage and dementia risk. Studies from the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health and UCSF suggest that these B vitamins can slow cognitive decline in both healthy adults and those with mild cognitive impairment.

Interestingly, the benefits seem greatest for people who start out deficient or who combine B vitamins with other nutrients like magnesium, vitamin D, and antioxidants. For those who already have normal B12 levels, extra supplementation probably won’t move the needle much.

Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Brain Food from the Sea

Of all the nutrients studied for brain health, omega-3 fatty acids—especially DHA—stand out. DHA forms part of every neuron’s membrane and helps brain cells communicate smoothly. Populations that eat more fatty fish consistently show lower rates of cognitive decline.

Clinical trials, however, have been less dramatic. For people who already eat fish several times a week, omega-3 supplements add little benefit. But for those who rarely do, taking fish oil or algae-based DHA may help preserve memory and attention.

Antioxidants: Vitamins C and E Work Better Together

When combined, vitamins C and E appear to offer mild protection against Alzheimer’s. Together they neutralize free radicals, unstable molecules that chip away at brain cells over time. Still, more isn’t always better—very high doses can backfire. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and nuts provides a safer and more effective source of these antioxidants than pills alone.

Other Possibilities—and Cautions

Magnesium (especially in the form magnesium L-threonate) and phosphatidylserine have both shown hints of cognitive benefit in smaller studies. L-theanine, an amino acid in green tea, may sharpen focus and calm the mind, though its long-term effects on brain aging are unclear.

Meanwhile, once-hyped supplements like ginkgo biloba, turmeric, and chromium have repeatedly failed to show strong or consistent effects in controlled trials.

The Bottom Line

Supplements can support brain health, but they’re not a shortcut. Their effects vary with age, diet, genetics, and baseline nutrient levels. For most people, the strongest defense against Alzheimer’s still looks familiar: daily movement, mental challenge, social connection, quality sleep, and a diet rich in plants and fish.

The new riboflavin study is a reminder that even small nutritional choices matter. Protecting the brain may not begin in a lab—it begins at the dinner table.

Researchers now know that Alzheimer’s begins with silent, biological changes in the brain, over a decade before symptoms appear. These changes include amyloid buildup—a type of plaque that accumulates between nerve cells—and tau tangles, stringy proteins that are toxic to the neurons in brain cells. The challenge has been finding simple, reliable ways to detect these changes early enough to intervene.

Fortunately, recent advances in blood-based biomarkers, especially phosphorylated tau (p-tau) blood tests, represent a turning point. For the first time, it’s becoming possible to identify people at risk long before Alzheimer’s takes hold.

Early Detection Matters

As with all diseases, early detection of Alzheimer’s is the key to prevention and treatment. The ability to spot Alzheimer’s five or more years before symptom onset would allow doctors to begin treatment before irreversible damage occurs. Drugs like Leqembi and Kisunla, which can modify the disease, tend to work best at the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s when brain cells are still largely intact. Patients could also be enrolled in prevention-focused clinical trials, most of which focus on early-stage disease. And doctors could encourage lifestyle changes in exercise, diet, sleep and blood pressure control that can slow the disease’s progression.

Until recently, though, the only reliable way to confirm Alzheimer’s pathology was through expensive, invasive tests – PET scans or spinal fluid analysis—that are unavailable to most people.

That’s changing fast.

The Rise of Blood Biomarkers

Making early detection far more practical, a new class of blood-based biomarker tests closely mirror what PET scans and spinal fluid tests reveal, but years before symptoms appear. The tests measure proteins associated with Alzheimer’s pathology, especially beta-amyloid (Aβ) and phosphorylated tau (p-tau).

In multiple studies, elevated levels of these proteins in blood are strongly predictive of future Alzheimer’s. Importantly, these tests are not simply diagnostic—they can signal early brain changes and help determine whether further imaging or monitoring is needed.

Quest Diagnostics’ AD-Detect: A New Tool for the Clinic

Quest Diagnostics is leading the way in bringing these discoveries to doctor’s offices. The company’s AD-Detect™ test measures both the Aβ42/40 ratio and p-tau217 levels, generating an “AD-Detect Likelihood Score” that reflects the probability of Alzheimer’s-type changes in the brain.

Quest is also planning to market a new test—the Fujirebio plasma p-tau217/Aβ ratio test—that will be the first FDA-cleared blood test designed to evaluate adults showing early cognitive symptoms.

These tests have yet to be approved for broad population screening. But they represent critical movement toward a future in which Alzheimer’s risk can be measured through a simple blood draw, much like cholesterol or glucose levels today.

The Road Ahead: A Blended Strategy

We still don’t have a single test that can predict Alzheimer’s with certainty. The best strategy for early detection employs a blended approach with multiple tools:

1. Risk Profiling: Assessing genetic and lifestyle factors (like APOE4 status, family history, and cardiovascular health).

2. Blood Testing: Blood biomarker measurements (Aβ42/40, p-tau217).

3. Longitudinal Tracking: Monitoring changes by repeating tests every 1–3 years.

4. Follow-up Imaging: Using PET scans or spinal fluid testing to confirm results.

5. Lifestyle Changes: Adopting lifestyle changes—exercise, healthy diet, quality sleep—proven to protect brain health.

With strong partnership between patients, physicians, and lab tools like AD-Detect, this multi-layered strategy is our current best hope for broadscale early detection.

The Bottom Line

For the first time, we’re approaching a time when Alzheimer’s disease can be detected years before memory loss begins. Blood-based biomarkers—especially p-tau217—are leading the charge, transforming early detection from a research concept into a clinical reality.

While more validation is needed, the momentum is unmistakable. As tests like Quest’s AD-Detect expand into practice, patients and doctors will gain a crucial new window of time—years, not months—to act.

Alzheimer’s still begins quietly. But now, we’re learning to listen.

Fortunately, lifestyle and natural approaches are now being explored that may slow and reverse mental decline and significantly improve the quality of life for you or your loved ones. These strategies offer ways for people living with Alzheimer’s, and their families, to take active steps in protecting brain health.

Three physician-led programs in particular have gained attention in this area. Here we take a look at their programs and explore how everyday choices in diet, exercise and sleep that can reduce factors that can contribute to worsening symptoms, including inflammation and toxic load.

Why Lifestyle Matters

If there were a single cause for Alzheimer’s, it would be easier to find a cure. Unfortunately, the disease is driven by a multitude of factors including genes, age, and brain changes contribute to the disease. And yet, the disease is influenced by everyday behaviors such as diet, stress levels and exercise. No surprise, then, that researchers and clinicians have been studying whether comprehensive lifestyle changes might delay symptoms or support cognition. The results so far are encouraging.

Dr. Dean Ornish: Lifestyle Medicine for the Brain

Dr. Dean Ornish, founder of the Preventive Medicine Research Institute, is best known for his work showing that lifestyle changes can prevent or even reverse heart disease. Recently, his team has been applying these same principles to Alzheimer’s.

In his “9 Steps to Ward Off Dementia,” Dr. Ornish promotes a plant-based diet, regular movement, stress reduction through yoga or meditation, and meaningful social connections. A series of pilot studies have shown that people who follow the Ornish program may experience slower progression of cognitive decline compared with those receiving standard care.

While more research is needed to verify these findings, Dr. Ornish’s program provides evidence that healthy food, regular exercise, stress reduction, and strong social ties provide significant support for brain health. The takeway: Your everyday choices matter.

Dr. Casey Means and Dr. Dale Bredesen: Tackling Inflammation and Metabolism

Further evidence for a multidomain approach to Alzheimer’s treatment comes from Casey Means, a Stanford-trained physician and co-founder of the health company Levels. Dr. Means believes that many modern diseases, including Alzheimer’s, share a root problem: metabolic dysfunction and inflammation. Her approach [TS1] includes a diet that keeps blood sugar stable, plenty of restorative sleep, and reduced exposure to toxins that may stress the body and brain.

Dr. Means’ work is closely connected with the brain-health protocol developed by renowned neurologist Dale Bredesen, often called “ReCODE[TS2] .” His program evaluates dozens of individual factors—nutrient deficiencies, hormone balance, toxin exposure, infections—and builds a tailored plan for each patient. Families who have tried this approach often describe it as complex but empowering, because it gives them a personalized roadmap rather than a one-size-fits-all prescription.

A major tenet of both approaches is support for the gut microbiome—the trillions of bacteria in the digestive tract that protect against toxins, help regulate inflammation, and even produce neurotransmitters that enable many brain functions. Supporting gut health means eating plenty of fiber-rich vegetables, legumes, and fermented foods; limiting processed products and added sugars; and avoiding overuse of antibiotics.

Both doctors also promote detoxing through staying hydrated, eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and kale to support liver function, regular sweating through exercise or sauna use, and getting adequate sleep so the brain can clear out waste products.

The FINGER Method: A Global Effort

The Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) trial is the first randomized controlled trial showing that a multidomain lifestyle treatment can prevent cognitive decline among older at-risk individuals. The groundbreaking clinical trial tested a Nordic-inspired lifestyle program with more than 1,200 adults aged 60 to 77. Participants followed a healthy diet, exercised regularly, and engaged in daily cognitive training and social activities. The trial also closely monitored participants’ cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure and cholesterol.

After two years, those receiving the treatment showed 25 percent greater improvement in cognitive tests compared to the control group. The trial’s success led to the launch of World Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS), an international and interdisciplinary network that adapts the program for different cultures and regions.

For families struggling to navigate Alzheimer’s, the message is clear: a combination of diet, exercise, mental stimulation, social engagement and medical monitoring can significantly improve cognitive function.

Controlling 12 Key Lifestyle Factors

A study published in the Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease revealed that nearly half of all dementia cases in Canada could be preventable. The research, which analyzed data from over 30,000 Canadian adults, identified 12 key factors that people can modify to reduce their risk of developing dementia.

Key findings from the study, led by Manuel Montero-Odasso MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology at the University of Western Ontario:

• Physical inactivity is the biggest modifiable risk factor, contributing to 10.2% of dementia cases

• Hearing loss in middle age accounts for 6.5% of cases

• Obesity and high blood pressure in middle age each contribute to about 6% of cases

• Sleep problems affect 40% of Canadians and contribute to 3% of dementia cases

In plain English, this research shows that many dementia cases aren't simply "bad luck" - they're connected to factors we can control. For example, the study found that more than 80% of Canadians aren't getting enough physical activity, making this the most significant modifiable risk factor.

Another study, published June 2025 in JAMA Neurology, found that up to 44% of dementia cases in late life could be attributed to poor vascular health – conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension that are all closely linked to a lack of physical exercise.

Researchers especially called out hypertension, diabetes, and smoking as modifiable vascular risk factors for dementia. People with a combination of these risk factors – such as hypertension plus diabetes or smoking plus diabetes – face significantly higher risk of developing dementia.

These are just two of many studies indicating that simple lifestyle choices – quitting smoking, getting more exercise, eating better – are the most powerful and effective prevention tools we have.  By taking small, consistent steps to improve our daily habits, we hold the power to dramatically reduce dementia risk, and shape a future of graceful, healthy aging.

Moving Forward

An Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be terrifying, but it’s important to stay positive and be proactive. While medical research continues , the evidence from Ornish, Means, Bredesen, and the FINGER network suggests that natural lifestyle-based choices can make a real difference. For patients and families, these approaches offer more than strategies to slow decline—they are pathways toward a healthier, more connected, and more empowered life.

Where to Learn More

For a deeper dive, several resources are available:

• Undo It! by Dean Ornish and Anne Ornish

• The End of Alzheimer’s by Dale Bredesen

• Good Energy by Casey Means

• The Alzheimer’s Association website for information on WW-FINGERS

Remember to work with your healthcare professional before beginning any new program, especially if medications are involved or other health conditions are present.

Guy Mansueto has devoted his professional life to supporting innovations that improve health. After the death of his mother from Alzheimer’s, he launched PatientsForACure.org to serve as a trusted resource for those affected by Alzheimer’s, providing comprehensive access to the latest research, support resources, educational articles, innovations in Alzheimer's care and a network of connection—so that no one navigating this journey has to do it alone.

Here’s a look at what medications are available now—and what’s coming soon.

What’s on the Market Today?

1. Disease-Modifying Antibodies: Leqembi and Kisunla

The biggest breakthroughs in recent years are two monoclonal antibodies: Leqembi (lecanemab) and Kisunla (donanemab). Both are FDA-approved and target beta-amyloid, a protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. 

Leqembi was the first to show it could slow cognitive decline by clearing toxic amyloid protofibrils. Kisunla has proven more cost-effective and generally less burdensome for patients by providing a monthly infusion schedule and the potential to stop treatment once amyloid is cleared. 

However, these drugs are only approved for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and require amyloid confirmation via PET scan or blood test. They also carry risks, including ARIA (brain swelling or microbleeds), especially in people with the ApoE4 gene.

2. Symptom-Relief Medications

Most patients still rely on cholinesterase inhibitors like donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon), and galantamine (Razadyne). These drugs don’t slow disease progression but can improve memory and attention for 6–12 months.

A newer option, Adlarity, is a once-weekly patch that delivers donepezil through the skin—ideal for patients who struggle with pills.

For agitation, the FDA approved Rexulti (brexpiprazole) in 2023. It’s the first drug specifically approved for Alzheimer’s-related aggression, though it comes with increased mortality risks.

What’s in the Pipeline?

The Alzheimer’s drug pipeline is more diverse than ever. In 2025, 138 drugs are being tested in nearly 200 clinical trials, targeting everything from amyloid and tau to inflammation and synaptic function.

1. Repurposed Drugs

Repurposing is a major trend. Drugs originally developed for other conditions—like semaglutide, a diabetes and weight-loss drug—are now being tested for Alzheimer’s. GLP-1 drugs like Semaglutide are often called “miracle drugs” due to their remarkable ability to improve the health of people with diabetes and obesity. But researchers continue to find new uses for these pharmaceuticals. There is some evidence that Semaglutide can reduce cognitive decline in people with Alzheimer’s by reducing neuroinflammation and other biological processes believed to be involved in the disease’s pathophysiology. The medication is being tested in two large clinical trials, with results expected by the end of 2025.

2. Small Molecules and Pills

Some oral drugs are nearing the research finish line. Buntanetap, from Annovis Bio, is a “small molecule” drug (a chemical compound with low molecular weight) that is in a new Phase 3 trial after mixed results in earlier studies. AR1001, originally developed for erectile dysfunction, is also in Phase 3 trials for early Alzheimer’s.

3. Biologics and Vaccines

Biologics—complex drugs that are derived from living organisms, like vaccines—are also gaining traction. Beyond Leqembi and Kisunla, several vaccines are in early trials. AC Immune’s ACI-24.060 is being tested in people with Down syndrome and those at risk for Alzheimer’s. Other vaccine candidates like ALZN-002 and GV1001 are in Phase 1 and 3 trials, respectively.

4. Stem Cell and Immune Therapies

Experimental therapies like laromestrocel (a stem cell treatment) and troculeucel (derived from white blood cells that destroy infected disease cells) are being explored, though their efficacy remains uncertain.

Challenges and Considerations

Despite progress in the development of new medications for Alzheimer’s, many challenges remain. For one, recruitment of patients for clinical trials is difficult—over 50,000 participants are needed globally. Moreover, many drugs still fail in late-stage trials, and safety concerns (especially with biologics) persist.

Access is another problem. Antibody treatments require specialized diagnostics and monitoring, and costs are high—Leqembi lists at $26,500/year. While Medicare covers these drugs, private insurance coverage is less dependable.

The Bottom Line

From a pharma perspective, 2025 is a year for cautious optimism. We now have two FDA-approved drugs that can slow Alzheimer’s progression, and a pipeline rich with repurposed agents, vaccines, and novel biologics. Still, these treatments are not cures—they offer modest benefits and are limited to early-stage patients.

For most people living with Alzheimer’s, symptom relief remains the focus. And yet, the shift toward disease modification is real, and growing. The next few years will be critical in determining which of these pipeline candidates can deliver meaningful, accessible, and safe improvements in care.

Alzheimer’s isn’t solved—but the race is on.

Move More, Sit Less

Physical activity is one of the best habits for long term brain health. According to a recent Science article, regular movement can slow or entirely prevent Alzheimer’s. Even modest daily exercise like brisk walking, gardening, or climbing stairs improves blood flow to the brain, supporting memory. It can even help prevent the buildup of harmful proteins believed to contribute to dementia. So get off the couch and find enjoyable ways to move your body – it’s a powerful daily choice that will pay dividends for decades.

Protect Your Hearing

One risk factor for Alzheimers that may surprise you is hearing loss. Researchers have found that untreated hearing problems force the brain to work harder to decode sounds, leaving fewer resources for memory and thinking. No surprise then that people with untreated hearing loss have a much higher chance of developing dementia. The good news is that a simple annual hearing check, and the use of hearing aids if needed, can help protect your memory for the long term.

Eat Brain Healthy foods

Brain resilience is closely tied to diet. A study covered in SciTechDaily shows that nutrient-rich diets like the Mediterranean or MIND diets are linked to better memory and lower Alzheimer’s risk. Foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, fish, and olive oil provide antioxidants and omega-3s that fight inflammation in the brain. Harvard scientists have also identified missing nutrients, such as vitamin D and certain B vitamins, as possible triggers for cognitive decline. Which leads us to another brain-healthy habit – simply add more colorful vegetables and nutrient-dense foods to your plate each day for a delicious investment in your brain.

Maintain Social Bonds

Staying engaged with others is good for the soul and good for the brain. A Northwestern University study of so-called “SuperAgers”—people over 80 with the memory of someone decades younger—found that while they didn’t always prioritize healthy habits they all had one thing in common: strong social lives. They stayed active with friends, family, and community. Studies reveal that social connection can reduce stress, sharpen thinking, and protect against memory decline. So call a friend, join a book club, or volunteer. Being socially active is one of the most enjoyable ways to strengthen your brain.

Personalize Prevention

Going beyond individual habits, Dr. Heather Sandison’s Sandison Approach shows how combining healthy choices with medication can support and even reverse early cognitive decline. In a six-month trial involving people with early cognitive impairment, her team offered a personalized, multimodal plan that included lifestyle changes (diet, movement, stress-management), nutraceuticals, and medications. Participants showed significant improvements in memory, reasoning, verbal ability, and concentration. Sandison’s holistic method affirms that small habits, when combined and tailored to the individual, can have a powerful impact. Small Steps, Big Protection Alzheimer’s is one of the greatest health challenges of our time, but prevention is possible. No single habit is a magic shield, but together, these daily choices—moving more, protecting your hearing, eating well, connecting socially, and personalized healing—add up to powerful protection for your brain. We can’t change our genetics, but we can choose our habits. Those choices matter. Start with one change today, make it a habit, and continue. If you persevere and stay consistent, your brain will thank you as you age.

But both were eventually touched by Alzheimer’s disease.

As anyone knows who has lost a family member to the disease, Alzheimer’s slowly steals the very essence of a person. Over time, memory and consciousness slip away, leaving once-loving, vibrant individuals suspended in a fog, while family members watch in disbelief. The empathy and humility required to witness this decline are profound—and the glimpses of who they once were grow fewer and farther between.

The Scope of the Challenge

My family’s story is not unique. Alzheimer’s casts a long shadow:

• More than 57 million people globally of all ages are living with dementia

• By 2050, that number is expected to triple to 152 million.

• Alzheimer's Disease remains the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60-70% of cases. Globally, the incidence of Alzheimer's and other dementias increased by 148% from 1990 to 2019.

• At age 45, the lifetime risk of Alzheimer’s is 1 in 5 for women and 1 in 10 for men[GM1] .  Up to 4 in 10 people could develop dementia after 55.

• The cost of care is staggering—projected at $360 billion in 2024, rising to nearly $1 trillion by 2050.

Born into a generation that prized optimism, determination, and respect, my parents would have risen up to meet this challenge if they could. That is no longer possible for them—but it is for me. And for you. 

Introducing Patients for a Cure

That’s why I founded Patients for a Cure.

Our mission is to be a beacon of hope and a trusted resource for those affected by Alzheimer’s. We provide comprehensive access to the latest research, support resources, educational articles, and innovations in Alzheimer's care. Just as importantly, we are building a robust network of connection—so that no one navigating this journey feels alone.

We aim to address both the emotional and practical needs of patients and families, easing the fear, confusion, sadness, guilt, and helplessness that so often accompany this disease.

Through education, advocacy, and community, Patients for a Cure champions a future where love, understanding, and the relentless pursuit of answers illuminate the path to an Alzheimer’s cure.

Why Me: A Lifetime in Healthcare

For more than 30 years, I’ve dedicated my professional life to making life-enhancing/life-saving healthcare technology available to physicians, hospitals and patients. When I began, fewer than 10% of physicians used computers to record their patient’s visits in electronic health records. “Population health” was left to health plans, and information was hard to access—leaving care uncoordinated, disconnected, and fragmented.

Progress has been made, but we’re still falling short. Yes, data is more available, yet it’s rarely portable. Health care touchpoints – primary care, pharmacists, urgent care centers specialists, insurance companies remain largely disconnected from each other. When switching jobs, looking for a new doctor, or moving, patients are often left with disjointed care and less-than-ideal outcomes.

While we work to help people manage chronic disease, industries push against us: food companies promote unhealthy eating patterns that add hundreds of excess calories per day, and pharmaceutical firms surpass all other sectors with governmental lobbying and spend with a significant portion allocated to television ads, which account for approximately 30% of evening news ad revenue—making pills look easier than prevention. 

Unfortunately, there is currently no pill for Alzheimer’s. But prevention is possible—through lifestyle choices, early awareness, and access to the right information and support. That’s why making trusted resources available is so critical.

A Call to Action

This journey—both personal and professional—has shown me wha’s at stake and what’s possible. Alzheimer’s may be one of the most complex challenges of our time, but it is not insurmountable. What my parents taught me, through both their lives and their struggle, is that love is not diminished by disease. It is strengthened by the will to act.

That’s why Patients for a Cure exists—not only to shine a light on research and advocacy, but also to serve as a much-needed resource for people at the very beginning of this journey. Whether you’ve just received a diagnosis, are caring for a loved one who has, or are simply worried you may be at risk, this is a place to find clarity, support, and connection.

By uniting patients, families, researchers, and advocates, we can accelerate the progress toward better treatments, improved care, and ultimately, a cure. I founded this organization because I believe that love lives in every memory—and that together, through compassion, knowledge, and determination, we can ensure those memories are preserved for generations to come.

Join us today in building a future where Alzheimer’s no longer steals the memories we hold most dear.

References

¹ Global Dementia Statistics: As of 2021, approximately 57 million people worldwide were living with dementia, with over 60% in low- and middle-income countries. This number is projected to rise, with nearly 10 million new cases annually (one new case every 3.2 seconds).

² Alzheimer's Disease: Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia, contributing to 60-70% of cases. Globally, the incidence of Alzheimer's and other dementias increased by 147.95% from 1990 to 2019.

³ United States: In 2025, an estimated 7.2 million Americans aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer's. This number is projected to grow to nearly 13 million by 2050 without medical breakthroughs. Alzheimer's is the seventh-leading cause of death in the U.S., with 119,399 deaths recorded in 2021.

⁴ Caregiving: Nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for people with Alzheimer's or other dementias, contributing over 19 billion hours valued at more than $413 billion in 2024.

⁵  Costs: In 2025, health care, long-term care, and hospice services for people with dementia in the U.S. are projected to cost $384 billion, expected to rise to nearly $1 trillion by 2050.

 [GM1]https://apnews.com/article/dementia-alzheimers-aging-brain-health-82b74dd1834b6387284164da655eaad8