With an estimated 6.9 million Americans aged 65 and older currently living with Alzheimer’s disease, the road to a cure seems long and uncertain.
As 2024 comes to a close, experts are reflecting on the hopeful advances in diagnosis, treatment, and risk management that have occurred throughout the year.
The Alzheimer’s Association—a Chicago-based nonprofit dedicated to Alzheimer’s research, care, and support—has shared its top five significant discoveries from 2024.
1. Third New Alzheimer’s Drug Approved
This year, the landscape of dementia treatment expanded with the FDA’s approval of Kisunla (donanemab) in July, marking the third approval since 2021.
Kisunla, developed by Eli Lilly, is designed to slow the progression and alter the underlying course of the disease, according to the Association’s press release. The once-monthly injection targets amyloid plaques, which are proteins that accumulate in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients, impairing memory and cognitive functions.
Dr. Joanne Pike, President and CEO of the Alzheimer’s Association, stated, This is real progress. This FDA approval allows people more options and greater opportunity to have more time. Having multiple treatment options is the advancement we have all been waiting for.
2. Blood Tests Could Improve Diagnosis Accuracy
Research this year has advanced Alzheimer’s blood tests, bringing them closer to use in physicians’ offices. Studies indicate that certain blood tests can significantly improve diagnostic accuracy. In one reported study, a specific blood test accurately identified Alzheimer’s in about 90% of cases among patients with cognitive symptoms.
3. Increased Support Needed for Caregivers
A 2024 Alzheimer’s Association survey found that 97% of dementia caregivers expressed a need for more support. 70% of caregivers cited that coordination of care is stressful. In response, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services initiated an eight-year pilot program called the Guiding an Improved Dementia Experience (GUIDE) model, which aims to enhance support services for dementia patients and caregivers.
4. Wildfire Smoke Raises Dementia Risk
Research presented in 2024 indicates that wildfire smoke increases the risk of dementia. A study involving over 1.2 million people in Southern California suggests that air pollution produced by wildfires is particularly harmful due to its composition.
5. Physical Changes in the Brain Identified
Scientists published findings that physical changes in the brain linked to Alzheimer’s occur early, often before symptoms manifest. This research emphasizes the importance of understanding Alzheimer’s as a biological process that precedes memory loss and cognitive decline.
For additional resources and research support from the Alzheimer’s Association, visit www.alz.org.
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