Alzheimer’s disease is entering a new era, with blood tests making diagnosis easier and new treatments offering patients options that did not exist just a few years ago.
But billionaire philanthropist and Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ:MSFT) co-founder Bill Gates says the biggest challenge now may be getting those breakthroughs to the people who need them.
Gates, who has funded Alzheimer’s research since 2017, said recent advances have changed the outlook for a disease that was once associated with helplessness. But he warned that the healthcare system has struggled to keep pace with the science.
Alzheimer’s Blood Tests and Treatments Are Here
For decades, diagnosing Alzheimer’s often required an expensive brain scan or spinal tap, making it difficult to identify patients early and enroll them in clinical trials.
That is beginning to change with the arrival of blood tests that can detect signs of the disease through a much simpler procedure. Gates said the first two blood tests became available last year, while the FDA approved two more in August.
“It’s not enough to make scientific breakthroughs; we also need breakthroughs in the systems that deliver them to patients,” Gates wrote.
Treatment options have also expanded. The FDA has approved two antibody therapies that clear amyloid, a protein strongly associated with Alzheimer’s, and can modestly slow cognitive decline.
The newest development could make treatment more practical. In July, the FDA approved an injectable version that patients can administer at home using a pen similar to those used for GLP-1 drugs.
For Gates, these advances represent a fundamental shift in what is possible for patients. “We’re not helpless anymore,” he said.
So Why Aren’t More Patients Getting Treated?
Despite the progress, Gates said Alzheimer’s specialists told him that uptake of the new tests and treatments has been slow.
One problem is awareness. Doctors and patients may not know that the new diagnostic and treatment options are available.
Access can also take time. Primary care doctors can order blood tests, but treatment is typically prescribed by memory specialists. Gates said patients can wait months for an appointment, potentially delaying treatment at a time when earlier intervention matters.
There are also financial and regulatory barriers. Many countries do not cover the new blood tests, while Medicare coverage in the U.S. can depend on where a patient lives and does not cover screening for cognitively healthy people.
Even when treatment is available, the process can be difficult. Some patients need infusions every two weeks for an extended period, along with repeated MRI scans because of potentially serious side effects.
“Those innovations aren’t reaching everyone who needs them,” Gates said.
Clinical trials face similar challenges, particularly when researchers need volunteers who live near trial sites and can travel regularly. Gates said recruiting diverse participants remains especially difficult.
Gates Sees More Breakthroughs Ahead
Gates believes the next phase of Alzheimer’s research could move beyond amyloid and toward another protein called tau, which is associated with neuron damage and cognitive decline.
New blood tests targeting tau are being developed, while researchers are also studying drugs that could attack the protein directly.
Prevention is another major focus. Researchers are investigating whether treating people before symptoms appear could slow progression, delay the onset of Alzheimer’s or potentially prevent the disease altogether.
Gates also pointed to evidence that diet, exercise and social interaction can reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
But he argues that scientific progress will only matter if healthcare systems can deliver it broadly.
“I am optimistic that science will give us the tools to defeat Alzheimer’s,” Gates wrote. “Let’s make sure those tools reach everyone who will need them.”
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.
Photo courtesy: Shutterstock
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