With no cure available, Alzheimer’s disease is devastating. Someone living with the disease may not know what month it is, when they last ate or how to articulate their feelings. With shifting levels of confusion and memory problems, those with Alzheimer’s rarely know if they’re going to have a good day or a bad one. 

This is the reality for the over 7 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s. By 2050, that number could nearly double. But there is hope.  

Could one of the over 120 drugs being tested in clinical trials be the one? Could there be more good days on the horizon? To find out, let’s take a closer look at Alzheimer’s and the ongoing effort to find a cure. 

What Is Alzheimer’s Disease and What Causes It? 

Alzheimer’s is a fatal neurodegenerative disease that worsens with time. Its onset is subtle: Forgetfulness and mood changes give way to severe memory loss and confusion, sometimes making it hard to recognize even close family members.  

If you were to take a microscope to an Alzheimer’s patient’s brain, you’d notice a buildup of proteins called: 

• Amyloid plaques: Clumps of amyloid proteins that accumulate around brain cells 
• Tau tangles: Abnormal tau proteins that twist into tangles inside brain cells  

Over time, these plaques and tangles kill off neurons and cause the brain to shrink. The damage first appears in the areas controlling memory before spreading to parts in charge of language, reasoning and behavior.  

The Alzheimer’s Disease Treatments of Tomorrow 

Until recently, available treatments like cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine could only ease symptoms. They offered no defense against the underlying brain cell loss that drives decline. But new treatments may change that. 

New Alzheimer’s Medications Hit the Market 

2024 marked a milestone: Lecanemab and donanemab became the first new Alzheimer’s drugs approved by the FDA to address amyloid plaques. These IV medications tell the immune system to remove amyloid plaques from the brain and, in clinical trials, slowed decline by about 30%. Still, they’re not a cure. And with a $34,000 price tag, these medications won’t be widely available any time soon.  

Saracatinib, originally developed to treat cancer, is also being tested for Alzheimer’s treatment. It works by blocking a protein called Fyn kinase, allowing synapses — the space between brain cells through which these cells communicate — to work again. These tests were conducted on mice. But who knows? Maybe it could one day work on humans. 

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Earlier 

While some researchers work on a cure, others are working on ways to catch Alzheimer’s earlier. Here’s how: 

Blood Tests 

In May 2025, the FDA cleared the first blood test for Alzheimer’s diagnosis in adults showing symptoms: the Lumipulse G pTau217/ß-Amyloid 1-42 Plasma Ratio. While we hope they’re still workshopping the name, you can’t argue with results. In clinical studies, the test correctly detected amyloid plaques with over 91% accuracy.  

Artificial intelligence 

New machine learning models can predict a person’s Alzheimer’s risk up to seven years before symptoms appear, with 72% accuracy. The technology is even helping researchers understand differences in risk between men and women. (More on that below.) 

Who Is at Risk for Developing Alzheimer’s Disease?  

Study by study, we’re getting closer to understanding Alzheimer’s. As researchers dig deeper, they’re learning more about why some groups are more vulnerable to the disease than others. 

Menopause and Alzheimer’s 

Women are twice as likely to develop Alzheimer’s. New research suggests that menopause — not just longer lifespans — may be a key factor. Not exactly good news. But it means that treatments addressing hormonal factors could help women reduce their risk of the disease. 

ADHD and Alzheimer’s 

Adults with ADHD have more iron in certain parts of the brain and higher levels of neurofilaments in their blood: both warning signs linked to dementia and Alzheimer’s. Researchers wonder: Could lowering iron levels in the brain reduce Alzheimer’s risk for people with ADHD? 

The Heart-Brain Connection 

High blood pressure, stroke, diabetes and high cholesterol can increase Alzheimer’s risk. Researchers are exploring this heart-brain connection and whether managing blood pressure or eating a heart-healthy diet could protect both the brain and body.  

Herpes and Alzheimer’s 

The herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can trigger plaque buildup in the brain. A study of more than 344,000 older adults found that those who had HSV-1 were 80% more likely to develop Alzheimer’s. Turns out, preventing herpes might also prevent Alzheimer’s. 

Gum Disease and Alzheimer’s 

Periodontitis, or gum disease, may increase brain inflammation and lead to Alzheimer’s. While more research is needed, good oral hygiene can’t hurt.  

Key Takeaways 

• What is Alzheimer’s disease?
  Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes memory loss, cognitive decline and shrinking of the brain due to the buildup of amyloid plaques and tau tangles. 

• Is there a cure for Alzheimer’s disease? 
  No. There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease. However, treatments can slow progression or manage symptoms. 

• Are there any new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease?
  Yes. In 2024, lecanemab and donanemab became the first FDA-approved drugs that target amyloid plaques. Other treatments, such as saracatinib, are also being researched but have not been approved for clinical use. 

• Who is at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease?
  Older adults, especially women, are at a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s. Heart disease is another known risk factor. And there is emerging evidence that connects Alzheimer’s to ADHD, HSV-1 and gum disease, but these are not considered proven risk factors. 

This Is Only the Beginning 

Scientists around the world are working tirelessly to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Yet even if a breakthrough cure were found tomorrow, it would leave millions of people battling this disease.  

They need help from expert researchers, trained medical professionals, patient caregivers and anyone with a heart for Alzheimer’s patients. If you’re motivated to help, there’s a wealth of opportunity.  

Earn Your Degree in Aging 

At the University of Florida, we offer several online medical sciences graduate programs designed to empower you to help patients, including older adults living with Alzheimer’s. They include: 

• Master’s degree in medical physiology and pharmacology
  Study how drugs, like Alzheimer’s medications, interact with the body. 

• Master’s degree in medical physiology and aging 
  Focus on the medical side of aging. 

• Master’s degree in medical anatomy and physiology 
  Gain in-depth knowledge of the body’s structures. 

Entirely online, our programs are a convenient, practical way to gain the foundational knowledge needed to make a difference in the medical field, no matter where you want your career to go.  

The search for the cure for Alzheimer’s disease is long, but every breakthrough brings us closer to a future where good days outnumber the bad and memories can be cherished for a lifetime. 

Sources:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/alzheimers-disease/causes/
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2025/06/recent-breakthroughs-fight-against-alzheimers-disease/
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/alzheimers-disease/in-depth/alzheimers-treatments/art-20047780