How Research is Advancing Treatment, Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, affecting more than 55 million people globally. For decades, families and caregivers have faced the heartbreaking progression of memory loss, confusion, and decline in daily function—with few meaningful treatment options.

But in recent years, researchers and clinicians have made significant advances in both treatment and prevention strategies. While there is no cure yet, the progress brings real reasons for hope.

Each September, during World Alzheimer’s Awareness Month, communities worldwide raise awareness about Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, and the ongoing research that is providing hope to patients and their families.

New Treatments Targeting the Root Cause

For many years, available medications for Alzheimer’s only managed symptoms—helping temporarily with memory or thinking but not slowing the disease itself. That began to change with new therapies aimed at amyloid plaques, the abnormal protein clusters that build up in the brain.

G. Peter Gliebus, M.D., Chief of Neurology and director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital.

• Monoclonal antibody therapies, such as lecanemab (Leqembi) and donanemab, have shown the ability to reduce amyloid plaques and slow cognitive decline in early stages of Alzheimer’s. These drugs, delivered by infusion, represent the first disease-modifying treatments approved by the FDA.
• While not cures, they mark a turning point: doctors can now offer therapies that address the underlying biology of Alzheimer’s, not just its symptoms.
• Researchers are also exploring treatments that target another protein, tau, which forms tangles in brain cells and contributes to nerve cell damage.

“These new therapies represent a fundamental shift,” says G. Peter Gliebus, M.D., Chief of Neurology and director of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology at Marcus Neuroscience Institute, part of Baptist Health, at Boca Raton Regional Hospital. “For the first time, we are intervening at the biological level of Alzheimer’s, and that opens the door to changing the trajectory of the disease.”

Advances in Prevention Research

Equally promising is the growing evidence that lifestyle choices may help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s or delay its onset. Large studies have shown that the same habits that protect the heart often protect the brain.

• Exercise: Regular physical activity—especially aerobic exercise—improves blood flow to the brain and may reduce risk of dementia.
• Nutrition: Diets rich in vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, like the Mediterranean or MIND diet, are linked to better brain health.
• Sleep: Poor sleep and untreated sleep apnea have been connected to faster buildup of amyloid and tau proteins. Prioritizing 7–8 hours of quality sleep is increasingly seen as essential for prevention.
• Social and mental engagement: Staying connected socially, learning new skills, and keeping the brain active may build “cognitive reserve,” helping the brain stay resilient.

Some scientists estimate that as many as 40 percent of dementia cases worldwide may be preventable by addressing lifestyle and health risks such as diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and inactivity.

“The most empowering message we can share with patients and families is that brain health is not entirely out of our hands,” Dr. Gliebus explains. “Simple but consistent lifestyle changes—like exercise, healthy eating, and good sleep—can significantly reduce risk and support long‑term cognitive health.”

TyG Index: A New Marker for Predicting Alzheimer’s Progression

Recent research has highlighted a promising new tool to help predict how quickly Alzheimer’s disease might progress: the TyG index (triglyceride‑glucose index), a simple and affordable marker derived from routine blood tests.

• A study presented at the European Academy of Neurology’s 2025 congress found that, among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s, those in the highest third of TyG index scores experienced faster cognitive decline, with a risk approximately four times greater compared to those with lower scores.
• The TyG index reflects insulin resistance—a metabolic condition increasingly recognized as connected not only to the risk of developing Alzheimer’s but also to its pace of progression.
• Dr. Gliebus highlights the potential clinical value: “The prospect that a simple, cost‑effective marker like the TyG index could predict progression in Alzheimer’s disease is extremely encouraging,” he says. “It has the potential to bridge an important gap between diagnosis and practical prognosis, which has been a missing element in this field.” AGEIST+13Baptist Health+13Human Online+13

This means that, in clinical practice, the TyG index may one day help clinicians tailor intervention plans—such as lifestyle strategies, medications, or close monitoring—based on each person’s individual risk of rapid decline.

Early Detection and Biomarkers

One of the biggest challenges in Alzheimer’s care has been diagnosing the disease accurately and early. But advances in biomarkers—biological signals that indicate disease—are changing that.

• Blood tests that measure amyloid or tau proteins are in development and may soon allow easier, earlier, and more affordable screening.
• Advanced brain imaging, such as PET scans, can now detect amyloid plaques and tau tangles before symptoms appear.
• Combined with promising markers like the TyG index, earlier detection means individuals may access treatments sooner, when they are most effective, and allows families to plan for the future.

Holistic and Supportive Care

While medical advances dominate the headlines, experts also stress the importance of comprehensive care for people already living with Alzheimer’s and their caregivers.

• Non-drug therapies such as music therapy, occupational therapy, and cognitive training can improve quality of life.
• Technology—from GPS trackers to smart home devices—helps individuals live more independently and safely.
• Caregiver support programs are increasingly recognized as essential, since the emotional and physical toll of caregiving is profound.

Looking Ahead

Alzheimer’s research is moving faster than ever before. Scientists are exploring:

• Combination therapies that target multiple aspects of the disease (amyloid, tau, inflammation).
• Gene therapies and vaccines that might one day prevent the disease entirely.
• Personalized medicine, tailoring treatment to each person’s genetic risk and biology.

“We are at the dawn of a new era in Alzheimer’s research,” Dr. Gliebus notes. “Each year brings discoveries that would have been unimaginable a decade ago. The pace of progress gives us tremendous optimism for the future.”