A New Era of Hope and Action

Alzheimer’s disease affects millions of people every single day—not just those diagnosed, but their caregivers, spouses, children, and loved ones who bear witness to the slow and painful loss of memory, identity, and connection. It’s a disease that reshapes entire families, often leaving them feeling powerless in its wake. Today, over 7 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s, and by 2050, that number is expected to rise to nearly 13 million. Meanwhile, nearly 12 million Americans provide unpaid care for those living with Alzheimer’s or other dementias—often sacrificing their own well-being in the process. Walking alongside families through this deeply vulnerable journey has shown me just how urgent the need is for ongoing research into treatments as well as possible cures for this devastating disease. That’s why the recent breakthroughs in treatment and early detection are more than medical milestones—they’re potential lifelines.

‍

A Turning Point in Alzheimer's Research

Until recently, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis felt like a life sentence with no real defense. Treatments existed, but they managed symptoms with varying degrees of success rather than slowing the disease’s progression. That narrative is beginning to change.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has now fully approved two groundbreaking anti-amyloid drugs: Lecanemab (Leqembi) and Donanemab (Kisunla). These are not cure-alls, but they are the first disease-modifying therapies that target the amyloid beta protein responsible for the damaging plaques found in the brains of Alzheimer’s patients. By binding to these proteins, these monoclonal antibody therapies signal the immune system to gradually clear them from the brain—offering the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s when caught early (Cleveland Clinic, 2024).

These drugs represent a critical shift in how we approach treatment. They are intended for individuals in the early symptomatic stages of Alzheimer's, not for those already experiencing moderate to advanced stages. This makes early detection more vital than ever.

‍

Diagnosing Earlier, Easier

For many years, the only way to confirm Alzheimer’s was through a PET scan or lumbar puncture (spinal tap)—procedures that are expensive, invasive, and typically only performed after symptoms have already emerged. That’s changing, too.

The FDA has now approved blood-based biomarker tests that can estimate the likelihood of Alzheimer’s by detecting levels of amyloid beta and tau proteins—often 15 to 20 years before symptoms appear (Gates Notes, 2024). These simple tests are game changers: they are affordable, accessible, and give people a window of time to plan, prepare, and—most importantly—begin treatment early if appropriate. They can usually be done wherever you usually get your blood work done whether that is at your doctor’s office or another independent lab such as Lab Corp or Quest Diagnostics. Some labs do one test but not the other. It may vary by lab. Your doctor will typically know which tests are usually performed by the lab they work with, or they can contact the lab to confirm.

However, a confirmatory Amyloid PET scan is still required to verify the presence of plaques before initiating anti-amyloid therapy. An Amyloid PET scan is a specialized imaging test that uses radioactive tracers to visualize amyloid plaques in the brain. It’s the most definitive tool we have today for diagnosing Alzheimer’s, and it plays a critical role in determining treatment eligibility. Even if an Amyloid PET scan confirms Alzheimer’s disease not everyone is a candidate for the new anti-amyloid drugs. Both of the ones currently approved by the FDA are administered via infusion which means through an IV, usually at a provider’s office or an infusion center. Some people are not good candidates due to the potential side effects which may pose increased risks to them due to other health conditions or genetic factors. The drugs are also very expensive so insurance coverage may be a factor. Nonetheless the fact that they even exist now is a dramatic improvement over what we used to have. While they do not cure Alzheimer’s they do delay onset of its more severe stages and therefore extend life span and the quality of life. It makes early testing even more critical.

‍

Public Opinion Is Clear: We Want to Know

The 2025 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures report reveals a profound shift in public perception. Nearly 79% of Americans surveyed said they would want to know if they had Alzheimer’s before symptoms interfered with their daily lives. 91% would take a simple blood test if it meant earlier access to care and planning (Alzheimer’s Association, 2025).

Equally important, nearly 60% of people said they would accept moderate to high risk with a medication if it could slow disease progression—underscoring a growing willingness to act in the face of a disease that once left people feeling powerless.

‍

The Human Cost

More than 7.2 million Americans over the age of 65 are living with Alzheimer’s today. That number is projected to rise sharply as our population ages. In 2025, the estimated total cost of care (not including unpaid family caregivers) will reach $384 billion. When we include the nearly 12 million caregivers providing over 19 billion hours of unpaid care—valued at an additional $413 billion—the burden becomes staggering.

Behind those numbers are real people. Families. Caregivers who put their lives on hold to provide round-the-clock support. This is not just a medical issue—it’s a national one. And it is emotionally draining, often having significant health impacts on the caregivers themselves.

‍

The Road Ahead

These scientific advancements are cause for hope, but they also raise important ethical, emotional, and financial questions. If someone tests positive for amyloid proteins, what does that mean for their mental health, insurance coverage, or life planning? How do we ensure access is equitable, especially for those from historically marginalized communities? Studies done by the Alzheimer's Association looking at the impact of Alzheimer’s show that Black adults have higher rates of Alzheimer's than White adults, and Hispanic Adults are second after Black adults. This may in part be due to higher incidence of risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes. Black and Hispanic adults also tend to be diagnosed later and  cost more to care for so changing our paradigm for diagnosis and treatment is critical across all people regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, etc. There are many underlying reasons why Black and Hispanic populations tend to have higher risk factors. In the end, the higher cost of their care impacts more than just them and their families and it behooves all of us to address inequities in care and outcomes.

We must continue funding the research that allowed us to progress to this point and will hopefully get us even farther, possibly even to a cure. It is imperative that we expand access to affordable diagnostics and treatment, and train providers to guide patients through the complex terrain of early detection and long-term care. And perhaps most importantly, we must continue having honest, compassionate conversations—with patients, caregivers, and the public—about what these new options mean.

‍

My Role as a Health Advocate

As someone who supports patients, families, and caregivers every day, my mission has always been to anticipate needs, not just react to them. This moment demands that approach more than ever. We’re no longer operating in a space of helplessness. We’re operating in a space of informed action. And we need to keep learning more.

If you or someone you love is concerned about memory loss or cognitive changes, don’t wait. Find a neurologist with expertise in memory care. Appointments may take awhile to get. Early diagnosis not only opens the door to potential treatment—it empowers you to make decisions that can preserve dignity, autonomy, and quality of life.

For the first time in a long time, we are not just bearing witness to Alzheimer’s. We are fighting back—with science, with compassion, and with resolve.

‍

SOURCES: 

Alzheimer’s Association

Cleveland Clinic

Gates Notes

‍