Alzheimer’s is a neurodegenerative disease that primarily affects older adults and is associated with the aging population. As societies age, the number of dementia cases, particularly Alzheimer’s, increases. However, some developed countries have seen a decline in the incidence of the disease due to improvements in education, sanitation, and lifestyle.

Despite these advancements, Alzheimer’s remains a significant challenge for the scientific community and healthcare systems due to the complexity of its causes and the lack of effective treatments. Currently, more than 50 million people worldwide are affected, and this number is projected to exceed 100 million by 2050.

The most widely accepted theory regarding the origin of Alzheimer’s is the “amyloid cascade,” which suggests that beta-amyloid, a protein fragment, accumulates in the brain, causing neuronal death and the malfunction of certain brain regions. Although anti-amyloid treatments have been developed to combat this buildup, the results have been modest, and the treatments come with serious side effects, which is why they have not yet been approved in the European Union.

For a definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, proper clinical evaluation and the detection of specific biomarkers, such as beta-amyloid and tau protein, are recommended through PET-amyloid imaging tests or lumbar punctures. These procedures are costly, have limited availability, and can be invasive.

Research is ongoing, and experts are optimistic about the development of new approaches, such as blood biomarkers, which are already being implemented in some centers. Age is one of the main risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s, with a significant increase in risk after the age of 65 and a prevalence of 27% among those over 90. Other non-modifiable factors include genetic predisposition.

Published by Elplural.com