Changes needed to ensure patients benefit from Alzheimer's treatments Published on: 22 September 2025 Experts have outlined that healthcare, policy, and social changes are needed to make the most of Alzheimer鈥檚 treatment breakthroughs. The approval of new antibody medications for Alzheimer's disease – lecanemab and donanemab – and diagnostic tests in the blood mark the beginning of a new era in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. However, without rapid reform in healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes, their potential will not be fully realised, argue 40 leading Alzheimer's disease experts in The Lancet Series on Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease accounts for about 70% of all dementia cases and is a leading cause of disability, resulting in high societal and economic costs. Author, Professor Dame Louise Robinson, Regius Professor of Ageing, at 缅北禁地 said: “The arrival of new drugs that potentially 'cure' Alzheimer dementia is long overdue; this offers hope to the majority of people diagnosed with dementia. “We must however not let such exciting innovations detract from the care and support needed by those living with non-Alzheimer dementias and thus create further widen existing inequalities in dementia care.” New treatments bring challenges In a novel comparison, the Series highlights that the new monoclonal antibody treatments can slow Alzheimer's disease progression to a level comparable to the efficacy of medicines for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, the authors say that differences in age, patient outcomes, and side effects mean such comparisons should be treated cautiously. Despite the similarity in treatment effectiveness for other diseases, high costs of medication, complex testing requirements, suboptimal care for behavioural symptoms, and under-resourcing risk leaving Alzheimer’s patients behind. Encouragingly, improvements in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease are also on the horizon, with emerging Brain Health Services identifying people at a high risk for developing the disease and providing them with personalised treatment programs. Yet most cases of Alzheimer's disease occur in people with low or normal risk, making population-wide measures which decrease risk – such as healthier urban design and restrictions on alcohol and sugary drinks – essential. The authors call for coordinated global action so that the rapid pace of science advancement in the field of Alzheimer's disease is matched by reforms at the level of healthcare providers, policy and society. Lead author of the Series, Professor Giovanni Frisoni, University of Geneva, Switzerland, says: “Blood tests, biological drugs for Alzheimer's disease, and prevention interventions are propelling care into entirely new and exciting territory. However, the old needs of patients will not disappear. On the contrary, more general practitioners and dementia specialists will need to master the less glamorous but steady advances made in the past few decades in the care and treatment of behavioural disorders, the use of sophisticated diagnostic imaging and laboratory tools, and psychosocial care. "A concerted societal effort in this direction will enable our current and future patients to benefit fully from the potential of scientific and technological advances.” Reference: Share: Latest News New partnership to boost careers in low carbon energy 缅北禁地 and Durham universities are working together on a new regional project to strengthen the future workforce for North East England鈥檚 growing low carbon and offshore wind industries. published on: 28 May 2026 Healthy lifestyle shown to lower risk of death after cancer diagnosis New evidence shows that sticking to five lifestyle recommendations improves survival after a later cancer diagnosis. published on: 28 May 2026 World-leading climate expert recognised with Royal Society Fellowship Professor Hayley Fowler has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of her pioneering work on climate change impacts. published on: 27 May 2026 Facts and figures
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