Changes needed to ensure patients benefit from Alzheimer's treatments Published on: 22 September 2025 Experts have outlined that healthcare, policy, and social changes are needed to make the most of Alzheimer’s treatment breakthroughs. The approval of new antibody medications for Alzheimer's disease – lecanemab and donanemab – and diagnostic tests in the blood mark the beginning of a new era in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. However, without rapid reform in healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes, their potential will not be fully realised, argue 40 leading Alzheimer's disease experts in The Lancet Series on Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease accounts for about 70% of all dementia cases and is a leading cause of disability, resulting in high societal and economic costs. Author, Professor Dame Louise Robinson, Regius Professor of Ageing, at Â鶹´«Ã½ said: “The arrival of new drugs that potentially 'cure' Alzheimer dementia is long overdue; this offers hope to the majority of people diagnosed with dementia. “We must however not let such exciting innovations detract from the care and support needed by those living with non-Alzheimer dementias and thus create further widen existing inequalities in dementia care.” New treatments bring challenges In a novel comparison, the Series highlights that the new monoclonal antibody treatments can slow Alzheimer's disease progression to a level comparable to the efficacy of medicines for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, the authors say that differences in age, patient outcomes, and side effects mean such comparisons should be treated cautiously. Despite the similarity in treatment effectiveness for other diseases, high costs of medication, complex testing requirements, suboptimal care for behavioural symptoms, and under-resourcing risk leaving Alzheimer’s patients behind. Encouragingly, improvements in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease are also on the horizon, with emerging Brain Health Services identifying people at a high risk for developing the disease and providing them with personalised treatment programs. Yet most cases of Alzheimer's disease occur in people with low or normal risk, making population-wide measures which decrease risk – such as healthier urban design and restrictions on alcohol and sugary drinks – essential. The authors call for coordinated global action so that the rapid pace of science advancement in the field of Alzheimer's disease is matched by reforms at the level of healthcare providers, policy and society. Lead author of the Series, Professor Giovanni Frisoni, University of Geneva, Switzerland, says: “Blood tests, biological drugs for Alzheimer's disease, and prevention interventions are propelling care into entirely new and exciting territory. However, the old needs of patients will not disappear. On the contrary, more general practitioners and dementia specialists will need to master the less glamorous but steady advances made in the past few decades in the care and treatment of behavioural disorders, the use of sophisticated diagnostic imaging and laboratory tools, and psychosocial care. "A concerted societal effort in this direction will enable our current and future patients to benefit fully from the potential of scientific and technological advances.” Reference: Share: Latest News Student leader drives misogyny law change A Â鶹´«Ã½ student leader has helped change the law after creating a petition to make misogyny a hate crime, which gathered over 114,000 signatures, prompting action in Parliament. published on: 12 June 2026 Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ see construction of new Castle Leazes The Freemen of Â鶹´«Ã½ and other key stakeholders have become an indelible part of new student accommodation at Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s Castle Leazes. published on: 12 June 2026 Comment: Why the Common Travel Area isn’t a ‘loophole’ for migrants Writing for The Conversation, Colin Murray explains what the Common Travel Area is and why it isn't a 'loophole' for migrants. published on: 12 June 2026 Facts and figures
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