By Dr Christopher Henstridge

TODAY is World Alzheimer’s Day, an awareness-raising campaign that will grow in significance as our population ages.

Alzheimer’s robs people of their memories and individuality. Families live with the possibility of their loved ones transforming into someone unrecognisable. The cost of caring for people with dementia places an immense burden on healthcare systems.

Alzheimer’s is heterogenous and complicated. Most patients present with different clinical features, something that complicates the diagnosis process. Problems with navigation can be an early sign of something going wrong, but we don’t know which memories will be lost or which other symptoms – such as behavioural changes or language impairment – will be experienced. Although there is a fairly well-defined progression, the experience of each individual will still differ.

Across the world, scientists are trying to identify what exactly Alzheimer’s is and what it does to the brain. Research is taking place into all aspects of the disease. A cure eludes us at the moment, and while recent clinical trials have raised hopes that a disease-modifying drug may one day help to slow the progress of Alzheimer’s. The treatments currently available only target symptoms.

My colleagues and I are investigating the loss of connections between brain cells, called synapses. There are trillions of these connections in our brains and these tiny structures are critical for normal brain function.

We examine brain tissue 1/1000th the thickness of a human hair to try to understand where and why these connections are being lost. In Alzheimer’s, these synapses start dying off before brain cells do. Ultimately, we hope that by gaining a greater understanding of this process then it raises the possibility of developing drugs that prevent these synapses from breaking down, potentially impairing Alzheimer’s progress.

Being able to predict in advance who is likely to develop the disease is the Holy Grail of Alzheimer’s research. Billions of pounds are being invested into tests able to detect who is about to develop Alzheimer’s or who is in the early stage of the disease. This type of diagnostic tool will also be vital for identifying people with dementia suitable for clinical trials of potential treatments.

I fervently wish there was a more positive story to tell on World Alzheimer’s Day. Indeed, given that depression, social isolation and cognitive inactivity have been identified as risk factors, the impact of the pandemic and lockdowns is something to be concerned about.

This is not a challenge that the thousands of researchers and clinicians working on this disease around the world are willing to duck. The answer will not come today, or tomorrow, but we will not stop fighting for it. Every penny donated to charities raising money for Alzheimer’s research or care takes us a step closer.

In the meantime, the World Health Organisation recommends that anyone can reduce their risk by being physically active, not smoking, avoiding harmful use of alcohol, controlling their weight, eating a healthy diet, and maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugar levels.

* Dr Christopher Henstridge, University of Dundee