Treatment for Alzheimer's

In April 2011, new international guidelines on how to diagnose Alzheimer’s were published for the first time in decades³⁹. These guidelines specifically address how to diagnose Alzheimer’s in its earliest stages. They mark a major change in how experts think about and study Alzheimer’s, including the need to incorporate biomarker tests.

There are currently no approved treatments for prodromal Alzheimer’s disease. However, there are clinical trials underway – both for potential treatments and early detection through scans and use of biomarkers.

Some of the following approaches are being explored:

Monoclonal antibody therapy: This exciting potential treatment involves the use of specially designed antibodies most commonly designed to reduce brain amyloid. Researchers aim to develop antibodies as human-like as possible in order to reduce side effects.

Vaccine: A vaccine could be used to induce an antibody response which may reduce brain amyloid.

Inhibitors: Potential to stop enzymes involved in the formation of amyloid

Currently several potential therapies are recruiting participants in clinical trials.

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