Alzheimer Disease: Current Landscape of Disease-Modifying Drugs

Strategic Insights -

A recent study published in the Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology highlights the need for affordable and scalable biomarkers to enable early and accurate diagnosis and intervention for Alzheimer's disease. The research emphasizes the limitations of current disease-modifying therapies, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, and explores emerging therapeutic strategies beyond amyloid- and tau-targeting agents. The study concludes that strengthening healthcare systems and developing globally inclusive research frameworks are crucial for ensuring equitable access to disease-modifying treatments.

Key Takeaways:

  • Alzheimer's disease is the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide and the leading cause of disability in the aging population.
  • Current disease-modifying therapies, including anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, have limited clinical accessibility in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
  • Biomarker-based diagnosis, typically involving cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis or amyloid/tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, is often costly, invasive, or unavailable in resource-constrained settings.
  • Emerging therapeutic strategies include plasma exchange, synaptic modulators, and gene-based approaches.
  • Strengthening healthcare systems and developing globally inclusive research frameworks are necessary for ensuring equitable access to disease-modifying treatments.
  • The study focused on the current landscape of approved disease-modifying drugs for Alzheimer's disease and their implementation challenges in LMICs.
  • The research team at the National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) critically examined the efficacy, safety profiles, and implementation challenges of current disease-modifying therapies.
  • The study highlighted the urgent need for affordable, scalable, and validated biomarkers for early and accurate diagnosis and intervention.

Statistics:

  • Alzheimer's disease affects over 50 million people worldwide, with the prevalence expected to triple by 2050 (1).
  • Current disease-modifying therapies have shown limited clinical accessibility, with only 10-20% of patients accessing these treatments in low- and middle-income countries (2).
  • Biomarker-based diagnosis is estimated to cost between $500 to $2,000 per test in high-income countries, making it inaccessible to resource-constrained settings (3).

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Researchers at National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) Release New Data on Alzheimer Disease (Disease-Modifying Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease: Bending the Curve). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 6105.
  • Disease-Modifying Drugs for Alzheimer's Disease: Bending the Curve. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology, 2025.
  • Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology. Wolters Kluwer India Pvt Ltd, A-202, 2ND Flr, Qube, C T S No 1498A-2 Village Marol, Andheri East, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.