2023 was a landmark year for research on Alzheimer’s disease, including advances in treatment, risk factors, and diagnosis. Here are five significant discoveries made this year:
There are three new treatments approved for Alzheimer’s disease, with a fourth on the way.
In July, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted traditional approval to Leqembi for mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease and mild Alzheimer’s dementia. This treatment slows cognitive decline and may help people with early Alzheimer’s maintain their independence.
In June 2021, the FDA granted accelerated approval to Aduhelm for the same purpose. At the Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in July 2023, Lilly announced positive results for a third similar treatment: donanemab. The company expects FDA action in early 2024.
In May, the FDA approved the first treatment for agitation in people with Alzheimer’s — brexpiprazole.
Hearing aids may slow cognitive decline in at-risk seniors.
In the largest clinical trial to investigate whether a treatment for hearing loss can reduce the risk of cognitive decline, researchers found that seniors with hearing loss halved their cognitive decline by using hearing aids for three years.
The intervention included hearing aids, a “hearing kit,” and ongoing instruction and counseling. Although the positive results were in a subgroup of the total study population, they are encouraging and warrant further investigation.
Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are coming soon.
Blood tests show promise for improving how Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed. Advances reported for the first time at AAIC 2023 demonstrate the simplicity and value to physicians of blood markers for Alzheimer’s.
Blood tests are already being implemented in Alzheimer’s drug trials. And they are incorporated into new proposed diagnostic criteria for the disease. Blood tests — once verified and approved by the FDA — would offer a non-invasive and cost-effective option for identifying the disease.
First county-level prevalence estimates of Alzheimer’s in the U.S.
The first county-level estimates of the prevalence of Alzheimer’s dementia — across all 3,142 counties in the U.S. — were reported at AAIC 2023. For counties with populations of more than 10,000 people aged 65 and older, the highest rates of Alzheimer’s prevalence are in:
• Miami-Dade County, Fla. (16.6%)
• Baltimore City, Md. (16.6%)
• Bronx County, N.Y. (16.6%)
• Prince George’s County, Md. (16.1%)
• Hinds County, Miss. (15.5%)
Certain characteristics of these counties may explain the higher prevalence, including older age and a higher percentage of Black and Hispanic residents, who are disproportionately affected by Alzheimer’s disease. According to the Alzheimer’s Association, these statistics may help authorities determine the burden on the healthcare system and identify areas for culturally sensitive caregiver training.
Chronic constipation is associated with poor cognitive function.
Approximately 16% of the global population struggles with constipation. This year, researchers reported that less frequent bowel movements were associated with significantly worse cognitive function.
People in the study with bowel movements every three days or more had worse memory and thinking equivalent to three years of cognitive aging. These results emphasize the importance of clinicians discussing gut health with their elderly patients.
To learn more about Alzheimer’s and dementia research, as well as available care and support — and to join the cause or make a donation — visit the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
While there is still much to learn about Alzheimer’s disease, 2023 was a year of discoveries, giving hope to researchers and families affected by the disease for the coming year.
Source: StatePoint