New treatment may delay Alzheimer's symptoms, research continues

Researchers have found a potential way to delay Alzheimer's symptoms in people who are genetically at risk for the disease. These findings were shared in a study published recently, but funding delays from the Trump administration are a concern for the ongoing research. One study participant, Jake Heinrichs, who has been involved for over a decade, is hopeful but worried that funding cuts could end his treatment. Currently, two drugs can slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s by removing a harmful substance in the brain called amyloid. However, this new study suggests that removing amyloid much earlier might help prevent the disease from developing at all. The research focused on a group of 22 participants who took amyloid-removing drugs for an average of eight years. Results showed that those who removed amyloid long-term had their risk of developing symptoms reduced by half. The study is small but significant. Researchers want to see how effective the current treatment, Leqembi, can be over the next five years. They aim to find out if continuous treatment can prevent Alzheimer’s symptoms altogether. However, delays in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) could hinder this progress. Alzheimer’s disease affects about 7 million Americans, and it often develops without warning many years before symptoms become apparent. While amyloid is a major contributor, scientists are also exploring other factors that could influence the disease. The NIH has faced scrutiny over whether they are focusing enough on various research methods. Researchers believe that halting support for amyloid studies could jeopardize future advancements. Participants in the study express their frustration with the delays. They worry that they could lose the chance for better outcomes if funding is not restored. For many, like June Ward and Jake Heinrichs, there is a sense of urgency and hope that continued research could change the future for themselves and their families.