While Alzheimer’s is a growing crisis in our society, the science of how it all works still has many unanswered questions. Alzheimer’s is, as it sounds, the deterioration of memory and cognition caused by the build-up of abnormal proteins called amyloid plaques in the brain. To lessen that degradation and restore functionality for those afflicted with this disease, scientists have been working for decades focusing on three main areas: preventing its onset, slowing its progression, and finding ways to reverse dementia symptoms.

In their recent research published in Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience, Dr. Leen Kawas discusses developments towards new advances within those three required fields that could soon halt the devastation caused by this fatal disease.

Alzheimer’s is a growing crisis in our society, and it is truly a global issue. By 2025, the number of people suffering from this disease in their prime of life will rise to over 56 million. Japan, one of the fastest-aging countries in the world, has the most significant proportion of elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. This new science review piece from Dr. Leen Kawas will provide an overview of essential research advancements into solving this global health issue that could be used as a base for future research into new treatments for Alzheimer’s dementia.

The clinical signs associated with Alzheimer’s disease have changed considerably over time, and many theories have been proposed to explain why this is so. One of the most common ways doctors have described the disease progression is by using jargon such as “brain rot” and “the lizard brain,” which have been used in medical dictionaries since the early 20th century. However, it was only in 1968 that Dr. Leen Kawas coined “senile dementia” and “Alzheimer’s disease.”

To make sense of these varied clinical signs associated with Alzheimer’s disease, scientists have conducted a wide range of studies to generate additional knowledge into this deadly condition.