Alzheimer’s Disease: Precision Medicine May Get Us Closer to Cure

By Maria Teresa Ferretti Ph.D.

Medically reviewed by Patricia Salber MD, MBA (@docweighsin)

A precision medicine approach based on biomarkers, powered by AI, and sensitive to gender may get us closer to a cure for Alzheimer’s Disease.

Unpaid caregiving places an enormous burden on the families which is borne overwhelmingly by women, daughters, and wives. (Photo source: iStock).

Two years ago, I was invited to write a commentary on Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) for The Doctor Weighs In on behalf of the Women’s Brain Project (WBP). Since then an increasing body of research, novel treatment developments, and a growing discussion on precision medicine has led to major leaps in our fight to find a cure. This article reviews some of these advances but first, let me provide some background.

A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating

AD is a neurodegenerative disease that causes dementia. It is estimated to affect over 50 million patients worldwide according to Alzheimer’s Disease International and counting. Further, it is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly.

A diagnosis of dementia can be devastating for a family. The individual affected by it progressively loses their cognitive capability.

At first, they have only mild symptoms involving loss of cognitive functions. Often, this goes hand in hand…