A Forecast of Hope
As I joined the live stream for the End of Year Forecast: Translating the Alzheimer’s Treatment Revolution into Real World Solutions on December 10, 2024, I had mixed feelings. I wasn’t sure what to expect and was concerned that their dialogue about medical breakthroughs and clinical trials would be very technical and over my head, rather than offering any information that might be of personal relevance. My interest in joining the livestream was as a person living with cognitive changes and as an advocate for those like me, not as a researcher or physician. I was pleasantly surprised.
This was a discussion guided by the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI) CEO Paola Barbarino and renowned expert Professor Jeff Cummings. There was much in this hour long discussion on a clinical level, however they broke down the medical terminology into language I could understand and wove them into a theme of hope for the future of those living with Alzheimer’s and related dementias. Their excitement was palpable, contagious, and inspiring.
ADI is a nonprofit organization which focuses on a global perspective and vision for prevention, care, and inclusion for everyone affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias today, with hope for a cure in the near future. In this End of Year Forecast, the mood was celebratory as they laid out how breakthroughs in multiple levels of research and clinical trials for treatment of neurological degenerative diseases is deepening the understanding of the disease process itself. The focus is no longer just on treating symptoms, but also how to address the biological issues directly. This is a major change from treating symptoms without being able to address the underlying cause. With more understanding of the biological disease process there has been the development of precise biomarkers, such as blood and spinal fluid. As these are discovered and utilized within research, clinical trials, and medication development the findings and refinement can be more specific and targeted. All this has a huge, positive impact on the treatment of the entire disease process, including the potential for prevention.
There are research studies solely focusing on more accurate diagnoses and prevention. It has been recognized that the neuro-psychological testing currently in use needs updating as it was developed in the 1970’s and 80’s. With new technologies and more detailed understanding of the disease process, testing methods need to be updated to become more sensitive and precise. Implementing the use of biomarkers as a part of the diagnosis process could provide an affordable and easily accessible means of accurate, early detection.
Professor Cummings went on to point out that Alzheimer’s and related dementias are complex diseases and it will take complex studies, testing, and treatments to address them. Just as it has taken complex diagnostic and medical options to treat cancer. Cummings also stated that the breaking down of the stigma surrounding dementia is about 40 years behind the ratification of the stigma regarding cancer. Stigma itself can be an obstacle to research, development of treatments, and creating compassionate care options globally as funding and public support can be limited due to misunderstanding the disease.
I was surprised to hear that 65% of health professionals and government officials around the world still think that dementia is a normal part of aging. In the future, if Primary Care Providers and their patients know there is something to do about the progression of the disease, more are likely to seek an early diagnosis and care. For now, breaking the stigma, educating professionals and the public alike can bolster the social and cultural changes necessary to increase the awareness and support for these new discoveries and tools to become accessible equitably to all. Governments also have a role to play by supporting these efforts through funding and appropriate policies.
Currently there are 55 million known cases of Alzheimer’s and related dementias globally, with 150 million expected by 2050. It is imperative that governments and medical care providers address these issues now in order to be able to manage this expected increase in need.
In the United States a dementia plan was developed by The National Alzheimer’s Project Act (NAPA) in 2011. Ongoing work is needed to keep this issue in the minds and hearts of our legislators and policy makers. ADI advocates for and assists with advancing similar policies worldwide. Australia has just developed a dementia plan and other countries are in the process of creating their own, through this support.
All of this is an ongoing process with the overall goal to keep people living with disease functioning at the highest level possible for as long as possible while simultaneously developing these complex treatments for future prevention and cure. There is still much work to be done, but it is heartening to realize that we are standing at the doorway of understanding and manipulating the actual biology of the disease.
Hope is strong medicine. Listening to these professionals discuss the current findings and the potential for further breakthroughs gave me hope for a time in the not too distant future when effective treatments and compassionate care may be possible for every phase of this disease. It was inspiring and I am so grateful to all of those who are working with such diligence and enthusiasm in order to welcome in a new era of care for people living with Alzheimer’s and related dementia.
If you are interested in hearing this lecture directly, or finding out more about the work of Alzheimer’s Disease International, you can visit: https://www.alzint.org/news-events/news/adi-launches-inaugural-end-of-year-forecast-with-professor-jeff-cummings/
To watch the entire presentation on YouTube, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txm3J-mwNH8
