Alzheimer’s breakthroughs shift focus to earlier detection and slower decline

New Alzheimer’s drugs lecanemab and donanemab can slow cognitive decline for some patients, and new blood tests may identify at-risk people earlier to enable prevention and treatment; while these advances signal a real shift in how we diagnose and treat dementia, experts caution that benefits are partial, risks remain (including brain bleeds), and a longer, more robust drug pipeline—targeting tau, inflammation, and prevention via GLP-1s—will determine how far we can go. Strong science funding and nonpolitical support for research are crucial as patients are encouraged to discuss testing and trial opportunities with their doctors and to participate in studies.