Alzheimerâs: Therapies, Diagnostics, Genetics, Management Update

Elena Popescu

doi:10.37421/2471-271X.2025.11.358

Brief Report - (2025) Volume 11, Issue 4

Alzheimerâs: Therapies, Diagnostics, Genetics, Management Update

Elena Popescu^*

^*Correspondence: Elena Popescu, Department of Neurotherapy, Romanian Institute of Cognitive Sciences, Bucharest, Romania, Email:

Author information

Department of Neurotherapy, Romanian Institute of Cognitive Sciences, Bucharest, Romania

Received: 02-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. jmt-25-175202; Editor assigned: 04-Nov-2025, Pre QC No. P-175202; Reviewed: 18-Nov-2025, QC No. Q-175202; Revised: 24-Nov-2025, Manuscript No. R-175202; Published: 29-Nov-2025 , DOI: 10.37421/2471-271X.2025.11.358
Citation: Popescu, Elena. ”Alzheimer’s: Therapies, Diagnostics, Genetics, Management Update.” J Ment Disord Treat 11 (2025):358.
Copyright: © 2025 Popescu E. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Introduction

Recent therapeutic advancements in Alzheimer's disease represent a significant leap forward, detailing promising new drug candidates. These treatments explore diverse mechanisms of action, moving beyond the traditional focus on amyloid and tau targeting. A key aspect here is the ongoing clinical trials, which are instrumental in evaluating these emerging strategies designed to modify disease progression, thereby offering a truly forward-looking perspective on the entire treatment landscape [1].

Simultaneously, crucial biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease are receiving updated overviews. This includes advancements in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma markers, as well as breakthroughs in neuroimaging. These biomarkers play an indispensable role by contributing to earlier and more accurate diagnosis, meticulously tracking disease progression, and crucially facilitating clinical trial design. Their growing importance in both research and clinical practice cannot be overstated [2].

The genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease continues to be refined and updated. This research focuses on both established risk factors, like the APOE gene, and newly identified genetic variants. Gaining genetic insights is fundamental, as it contributes profoundly to understanding disease mechanisms, accurately predicting risk, and pinpointing potential targets for therapeutic intervention. This work consistently emphasizes the complex and multifaceted interplay of genetic factors involved in the disease [3].

Beyond pharmaceutical developments, recent progress in non-pharmacological approaches for managing Alzheimer's disease is gaining significant traction. Reviews highlight the substantial efficacy of various interventions, including targeted lifestyle changes, cognitive training exercises, consistent physical activity, and carefully tailored dietary modifications. These strategies are vital for mitigating symptoms and hold the promise of potentially slowing disease progression, ultimately offering invaluable and comprehensive patient care [4].

Further investigation delves into the critical role of neuroinflammation in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. Here, activated glial cells are shown to contribute significantly to neuronal damage. Identifying these specific neuroinflammatory pathways is opening new avenues for therapeutic intervention, with researchers actively exploring novel anti-inflammatory strategies that could modify the course of disease progression [5].

The current status and future perspectives on early diagnosis and prediction of Alzheimer's disease are under comprehensive review. This field encompasses advancements in both fluid and imaging biomarkers, alongside the refinement of clinical criteria for prodromal Alzheimer's disease. The implications of these diagnostic tools are far-reaching, enabling earlier intervention and promoting more precise clinical management for patients [6].

A more specific focus highlights the significant contributions of microglia, which are the brain's resident immune cells, to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis. Particular attention is given to the TREM2 receptor within these cells. Research indicates that microglial dysfunction and specific TREM2 signaling pathways significantly influence amyloid clearance and neuroinflammation, thereby identifying them as crucial therapeutic targets for future treatments [7].

A comprehensive update systematically identifies numerous modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, strongly emphasizing the potential for effective prevention. The evidence base is reviewed for factors ranging from education levels and hypertension to obesity, hearing loss, and even air pollution. The proposition here is that targeted interventions addressing these factors could significantly reduce the global prevalence of dementia [8].

The evolution of neuroimaging techniques in Alzheimer's disease is charting a course from purely research tools to practical clinical applications. This evolution includes advanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scans, which are now critical for assessing amyloid and tau pathology. Their utility spans diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring treatment response, all of which are essential for refining our understanding of the disease's progression [9].

Finally, a forward-looking perspective piece discusses the future trajectory of Alzheimer's disease therapeutics, moving decisively beyond current paradigms. It explores exciting novel drug targets, the potential of gene therapies, innovative combination approaches, and highly personalized medicine strategies. These insights demonstrate how the field is dynamically evolving to address the complex pathology of Alzheimer's disease, striving to deliver more effective and tailored treatments to patients [10].

Description

Recent advancements in Alzheimer's disease therapeutics highlight a pipeline rich with promising drug candidates that explore diverse mechanisms of action beyond traditional amyloid and tau targeting. This forward momentum includes ongoing clinical trials focused on modifying disease progression, offering a renewed perspective on treatment possibilities [1]. Looking ahead, the field is keenly focused on novel drug targets, the integration of gene therapies, and sophisticated combination approaches. Personalized medicine strategies are also emerging, reflecting an evolving understanding of Alzheimer's complex pathology and the drive to deliver more effective, individualized treatments [10].

The updated overview of crucial Alzheimer's biomarkers, including those derived from cerebrospinal fluid and plasma, combined with significant advancements in neuroimaging, is transforming diagnostic capabilities. These biomarkers are instrumental for earlier and more accurate diagnosis, precise tracking of disease progression, and the optimization of clinical trial design, underscoring their profound importance in both research and practical clinical settings [2]. This directly feeds into efforts for early diagnosis and prediction, where comprehensive reviews cover advancements in both fluid and imaging biomarkers, as well as refined clinical criteria for prodromal Alzheimer's disease. Such tools are vital for enabling earlier intervention and more precise clinical management [6]. Neuroimaging techniques have evolved remarkably from research tools to essential clinical applications, encompassing advanced MRI and PET scans. These are now routinely used to assess amyloid and tau pathology, providing invaluable insights into diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring treatment response, thereby deeply refining our understanding of AD progression [9].

Understanding the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease continues to evolve, encompassing established risk factors such as APOE and newly identified genetic variants. These genetic insights are paramount for deciphering disease mechanisms, predicting individual risk profiles, and identifying precise targets for therapeutic interventions, highlighting the intricate genetic interplay at play [3]. Parallel to this, comprehensive updates identify a range of modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer's disease and dementia, strongly advocating for prevention strategies. Systematic reviews examine evidence for factors like education, hypertension, obesity, hearing loss, and air pollution, proposing that interventions targeting these areas could substantially reduce global dementia prevalence [8].

A critical area of focus is the role of neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's pathogenesis, where activated glial cells are known contributors to neuronal damage. This understanding has propelled neuroinflammatory pathways to the forefront as promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Researchers are actively exploring novel anti-inflammatory strategies with the potential to significantly modify disease progression [5]. Zooming in further, the specific contributions of microglia, the brain's resident immune cells, to Alzheimer's disease pathogenesis are highlighted, with particular emphasis on the TREM2 receptor. Dysfunctional microglia and their associated TREM2 signaling pathways are shown to critically influence amyloid clearance and overall neuroinflammation, identifying them as pivotal therapeutic targets [7].

In addition to pharmacological and biological targets, significant progress has been made in non-pharmacological approaches for managing Alzheimer's disease. These strategies emphasize the efficacy of lifestyle interventions, including cognitive training, increased physical activity, and specific dietary modifications. Such approaches are recognized for their ability to mitigate symptoms and potentially slow disease progression, providing a holistic and comprehensive framework for patient care [4].

Conclusion

Recent research provides a comprehensive update on Alzheimer's disease, spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, genetics, and management strategies. Promising new drug candidates are emerging, exploring diverse mechanisms beyond amyloid and tau, with a focus on modifying disease progression. Advances in biomarkers, including cerebrospinal fluid, plasma, and neuroimaging, are crucial for earlier, more accurate diagnosis and tracking disease progression. Genetic insights continue to evolve, identifying both established risk factors like APOE and new variants, essential for understanding mechanisms and guiding interventions. Neuroinflammation plays a critical role in pathogenesis, with activated glial cells and microglial contributions, particularly involving the TREM2 receptor, identified as key therapeutic targets. Furthermore, modifiable risk factors such as education, hypertension, obesity, and hearing loss offer significant potential for prevention through targeted interventions. Non-pharmacological approaches, including lifestyle interventions, cognitive training, physical activity, and dietary modifications, also show efficacy in mitigating symptoms and potentially slowing progression. The field is actively exploring future therapeutic trajectories, including gene therapies and personalized medicine, to address the complex pathology more effectively.