World Alzheimer Day 2021: Care Trends, Challenges, and Advances

World Alzheimer Day, celebrated on September 21, brings together the larger community of patients, physicians, clinicians, industry, and advocacy organizations to raise awareness for Alzheimer disease (AD). This year, there is much for the community to be excited about, as June 2021 marked the first approval for the disease in almost 20 years and the first major breakthrough for therapeutic interventions with the FDA greenlighting of aducanumab (Aduhelm; Biogen/Eisai).

Although AD affects a large number of individuals globally, including more than 5.7 million Americans, and is well-known by the general population, it remains the sixth-leading cause of death in the United States. The complexity of this disease has presented a challenge for the medical community, and with the population expected to continue aging, AD care presents a major hurdle to overcome. At current rates, experts believe the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s will quadruple to as many as 16 million by the year 2050.¹

Swipe through the slideshow to see more of what experts in the field have to say about the current state of care in Alzheimer. Click here for more coverage of Alzheimer disease from NeurologyLive.

REFERENCES
1. WORLD ALZHEIMER’S DAY: SEPTEMBER 21. Fisher Center for Alzheimer’s Research Foundation. August 27, 2010. Accessed September 21, 2021. https://www.alzinfo.org/articles/world-alzheimers-day/
2. Ashford, MT, Veitch, DP, Neuhaus, J, et al. The search for a convenient procedure to detect one of the earliest signs of Alzheimer's disease: A systematic review of the prediction of brain amyloid status. Alzheimer's Dement. 2021;17:866–887. doi:10.1002/alz.12253
3. Pila S, Novak M, Weintraub S, et al. The Mobile Toolbox (MBT): A Completely Remote Platform for Cognitive Research. Presented at 2021 American Academy of Neurology Annual Meeting; April 17-22. Abstract P7.086
4. Palmqvist S, Janelidze S, Quiroz YT, et al. Discriminative accuracy of plasma phospho-tau217 for Alzheimer disease vs other neurodegenerative disorders. JAMA. 2020;324(8):772–781. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.1213