With an aging population and rising demand for care, the health care system must urgently rethink its approach to detection and treatment—especially by incorporating insights into the vascular underpinnings of cognitive health.

This week, we explore critical updates in Alzheimer's research, including our co-hosted event with Axios that brought expert voices together to discuss the future of treatment and prevention.

Our recent event with Axios shed light on the evolving understanding of Alzheimer’s, emphasizing the critical need for new treatment approaches that extend beyond amyloid-targeting drugs.

This week, we explore groundbreaking research revealing new insights into how vascular health impacts Alzheimer’s disease progression. From the role of shared cellular mechanisms to promising advances in biomarkers for early diagnosis, these findings highlight the critical connection between cardiovascular and brain health.

We are excited to announce Advancing Our Understanding: Alzheimer's, Vascular Health, and the Path Forward, an event representing a critical opportunity to explore the intersection of Alzheimer’s disease and vascular health. This event, hosted by Axios on September 18, 2024, brings together leading policymakers and health care experts to discuss the future of brain-related care.

Welcome to In Circulation: News for Your Heart & Mind—your trusted source for cutting-edge insights on the intersection of vascular health and Alzheimer’s research. Each week, we’ll dive into the latest scientific breakthroughs, treatment advances, and prevention strategies.

Attending the Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) this year was both exhilarating and enlightening. Reflecting on my experiences at this massive event, which featured 750 sessions and a wealth of knowledge from around the globe, I am struck by the palpable sense of progress and innovation that fills the air.

In the concluding post on our 2024 survey on Alzheimer’s treatments, patients and caregivers prioritize restoring cognitive function, prolonging independence, and improving quality of life for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The recent New York Times op-ed by Charles Piller, "All the Alzheimer's Research We Didn't Do," critiques the prevailing focus in Alzheimer’s research, highlighting the dominance of the amyloid hypothesis.

In a recent article by Dr. Gillian Gordon-Perue in the Miami Times, the stark realities faced by Black Americans concerning Alzheimer's disease are brought to light. As we celebrate Juneteenth, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the health disparities that persist in our society, particularly in the care and prevention of Alzheimer's disease within the Black community.

Let’s look at the latest innovations in Alzheimer’s treatment, mainly focusing on the connection between vascular health and cognitive decline.

Dr. Howard Fillit, the Co-Founder and Chief Science Officer of the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), authored an op-ed, "An Alzheimer’s Advance, Not a Cure-All: Donanemab promises progress. The FDA shouldn’t hold out for perfection," that appeared in the Wall Street Journal. Dr. Fillit underscores a critical paradigm shift in Alzheimer’s research and treatment: the need for a multimodal approach to combat this multifaceted disease.

Despite the high level of concern about Alzheimer’s disease, the poll revealed a significant knowledge gap regarding current treatments. Only a small percentage of voters feel they know "a lot" about available treatment options, with most having a superficial understanding. This lack of knowledge is particularly concerning given the widespread impact of the disease​​ and progress unfolding over the past few years.

Alzheimer’s disease is a primary concern for American voters, with nearly 94% considering it a serious health condition. In fact, Alzheimer’s is comparable to cancer in terms of perceived seriousness. The widespread concern among voters underscores the critical need for prioritizing Alzheimer’s in national health agendas and policy discussions​​.

Welcome to the first installment of our five-part series on the national perception of Alzheimer’s disease and progress in finding effective treatments. In this series, we will delve into the insights from a comprehensive national poll conducted by FTP Insights and Accelerate Advocacy in May 2024. This poll surveyed 1,028 registered voters to understand their views on Alzheimer’s, their knowledge about current treatments, and their support for new therapeutic approaches. Over the next few weeks, we’ll explore these themes in depth, providing valuable information and insights to help shape the future of Alzheimer’s research and advocacy. This blog overviews the critical findings from the 2024 national poll on Alzheimer’s disease.