Recent advancements are offering new hope in the fight against dementia, a condition affecting an estimated 130,000 to 150,000 people in Sweden alone. While a cure remains elusive, researchers are making meaningful strides in understanding, diagnosing, and potentially slowing the progression of this devastating disease-notably Alzheimer’s, its most common form. This report details five key breakthroughs, from newly approved drug treatments and improved early detection methods to a growing understanding of modifiable risk factors and the surprising potential of common vaccines in reducing dementia risk.
Between 130,000 and 150,000 people in Sweden live with dementia. Currently, there is no cure, but research is steadily advancing our understanding of the disease. We now know significantly more about dementia than even a few years ago – not only how to reduce the risk of developing it, but also how to potentially slow the progression of Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia.
Here are some recent breakthroughs:
1. New Drug Treatments
As recently as July of this year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) approved Kisunla (containing the substance donanemab) for the treatment of patients in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease. In November of last year, Leqembi, with the substance lecanemab, also received approval. Both donanemab and lecanemab are antibodies that bind to and clear amyloid plaques, which are believed to contribute to the disease. This represents a significant step forward in the search for effective therapies.
While the effects of these treatments are modest and some patients have experienced serious side effects, intensive work is underway to modify these antibodies to make them both more effective and safer.
2. Improved Early Detection
As new treatments that can slow disease progression become available, early detection of Alzheimer’s disease is increasingly important. However, this can be challenging, as the disease can be difficult to identify in its initial stages. Researchers at Lund University have developed a new digital test that they hope will improve the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in primary care. In collaboration with colleagues in the United States, the researchers have also developed a test that can confirm the diagnosis with a simple blood test. This approach aims to make diagnosis both more accurate and faster.
3. Better Understanding of Modifiable Risk Factors
Dementia has a strong genetic component. For example, if you have a parent with Alzheimer’s disease, your risk of developing the disease increases two to three times. However, there are also risk factors that we can influence. Researchers now know that factors ranging from hearing loss and vision impairment to social isolation, high blood pressure, high levels of LDL cholesterol, and depression can increase the risk. Addressing these factors, where possible, can be a proactive step toward brain health. Additionally, maintaining both physical and mental activity is crucial.
LDL cholesterol “the bad cholesterol”
To reduce LDL cholesterol, lifestyle changes such as eating less saturated fat, exercising more, and avoiding smoking can be made.
4. Could Vaccines Protect Against Dementia?
Recent studies have suggested that common vaccines, such as those for RSV and shingles, may reduce the risk of dementia. In April, Nature published a study involving 280,000 people in Wales, which showed a 20% reduced risk of dementia among those vaccinated against shingles.
In June, another study of 430,000 people who received vaccines against shingles and RSV showed a similar effect. Researchers are still investigating why vaccines appear to offer protection against dementia. It could be due to a reduction in the number of infections, or the adjuvant – the substance used to boost the immune response – may have a protective effect.
5. Decreasing Risk of Developing Dementia
More people are being diagnosed with dementia, but this is largely due to increasing life expectancy. Today, 680,000 people in Sweden are 80 years or older. By 2030, that number is expected to reach 800,000. However, the individual risk of developing dementia has decreased. A study comparing 85-year-olds in 1986 and 2010 showed that the risk of developing dementia in the following three years decreased by 40% between the two periods. Researchers believe this decrease is due to new medications and changes in lifestyle and diet.
