Dementia is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. It is a progressive condition that leads to memory loss, cognitive decline and behavioural changes.
There are currently no known cures for the disease, but research is ongoing to find new treatments and ways to prevent or delay its onset. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved antibody-based treatments like Lecanemab, which are given intravenously every two weeks and modestly slow cognitive and functional decline in people with early-stage Alzheimer’s disease. They work by clearing amyloid plaques, which have been shown to cause nerve damage and thereby slow down disease progression. Lecanemab is most effective if given in early dementia, but costs $26,500 a year and is associated with amyloid-related imaging abnormalities (ARIA) with edema (ARIA-E) or hemorrhage (ARIA-H) in the brain, which can lead to death.
Minimising risk factors for dementia
There is currently no cure for dementia, but there are ways to reduce the development and progression of dementia by reducing the risk factors associated with the disease. Modifiable risk factors include obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and social isolation. These risk factors can be addressed through regular exercise, a balanced diet, avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol consumption.
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