Advances in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment and Research

You forget where you put your keys, or the name of an acquaintance you’ve met before, or you get lost in a familiar place. Are you just absentminded or distracted? Or could it be a sign that you’re developing memory problems? When is it time to worry?

Occasional forgetfulness is a normal part of aging—and of being human. But more serious memory problems that disrupt your everyday life can be a sign of dementia.

One of the most common forms of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s affects more than 6 million Americans, according to National Institute of Aging (NIA). As the population continues to age, it’s likely that number will rise.

“We need to better understand how Alzheimer’s develops. At Mass General Brigham, we’re looking for the underlying causes. That knowledge should help us find more effective treatments,” says Teresa Gomez-Isla, MD, a Mass General Brigham neurologist. Dr. Gomez-Isla is director of the Memory Division at Massachusetts General Hospital, where she cares for patients.

“Though we don’t yet have a cure, there is hope,” she adds.

What is Alzheimer’s disease?

Alzheimer’s is named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer. He first identified the disease in 1906 after examining the brain of a woman who had died of an unknown mental illness. He noticed unusual lesions, clumps, and tangled fibers in the brain tissue.

“Today we call those brain lesions amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles. Plaques and tangles continue to be considered the characteristic lesions of Alzheimer disease,” Dr. Gomez-Isla says.

The plaques and lesions damage the areas of the brain that control memory, reasoning, language, and social behaviors.

Alzheimer’s typically affects people older than 65. Early-onset Alzheimer’s is rare but can affect people starting in their 30s.

What causes Alzheimer’s disease? 

The exact cause of Alzheimer’s is unknown. It might be that several different factors combine, as opposed to one distinct cause. These factors may include:

• Age-related changes in the brain
• Family history or genetics
• Environmental factors, like chemical exposure
• Lifestyle factors, like physical activity level

What are the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease?

Symptoms can be subtle in the early stages and vary from person to person. Signs and symptoms of early to mid-stage Alzheimer’s may include:

• Memory loss
• Confusion
• Difficulty with everyday tasks
• Mood and personality changes
• Increased anxiety, depression, or aggression
• Difficulty speaking or communicating
• Changes in sleep patterns

“As the disease progresses, memory loss and confusion become more noticeable. People may even have trouble recognizing their family members or friends,” Dr. Gomez-Isla says.

Alzheimer’s disease treatments

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are certain medicines that can help manage symptoms of the disease. More recently, new drugs have been approved by the FDA for patients who are in the early stages of the disease. These medications reduce amyloid plaques in the brain and may slow down the progression of the disease. Research into more effective Alzheimer’s medicines is ongoing and many more drugs are currently being tested in clinical trials.

“Everyone is unique, and people respond differently to these medications. It may take some time to find the right medication and dosage for you or your loved one,” says Dr. Gomez-Isla.

Alzheimer’s disease research

Dr. Gomez-Isla and her colleagues at Mass General Brigham are studying ways to better diagnose and treat Alzheimer’s. “We hope to use this knowledge to predict who will get the disease, and develop therapies to delay or prevent it,” she explains.

One recent study found that people who have difficulty using a simple phone menu may be at risk for Alzheimer’s. “The data from this study shows we may be able to identify and treat people long before they show significant symptoms,” Dr. Gomez-Isla says.

Mass General Brigham also ran a long-term study of a large family Colombian with a history of early-onset Alzheimer’s due to a gene mutation. Results from the study of mutation carriers showed that amyloid plaques were present in people 15 years before they begin to show symptoms.

“These pioneering studies provide us with a deeper insight into the disease. They also offer potential key clues to develop future treatments that can protect people from ever developing Alzheimer’s,” Dr. Gomez-Isla says.

Is there a way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

“Because we don’t know what causes Alzheimer’s, we aren’t sure how to prevent it,” says Dr. Gomez-Isla.

Making healthy lifestyle changes may help reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s. Here’s what you can do:

• Prevent hypertension and monitor your blood pressure.
• Manage blood sugar levels.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Be physically active and exercise regularly.
• Quit smoking.
• Drink alcohol only in moderation.
• Prevent and correct hearing loss.
• Get enough sleep.
• Stay socially active.

While much about the causes of Alzheimer’s remains unknown, new research and promising new treatments mean there may be more options for patients in the future.

“With newly available medications and an improving understanding of the origins of Alzheimer’s, we can improve the lives of patients and their caregivers everywhere,” says Dr. Gomez-Isla.