Regular Physical Exercise and Mediterranean-style diet help to Overcome Alzheimer Disease

▴ Dr Arun Kumar, Senior Consultant Neurologist, Gleneagles Hospital Chennai
Alzheimer’s disease in 2025 is diagnosed earlier and more accurately than ever before, thanks to advances in biomarkers and updated criteria. Current treatments mainly provide symptom relief, but new therapies aimed at the underlying disease could help slow its progression.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive brain disorder and the most common cause of dementia globally. It involves a decline in memory, reasoning, and other thinking skills. Despite significant progress, it still poses a major medical and societal challenge in 2025. Keeping up with current knowledge on diagnosis, management, and new treatments is crucial. Overview of Alzheimer’s Disease Alzheimer’s usually affects people aged 65 and older, although younger-onset cases do occur. The disease is driven by amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, which lead to the loss of neurons and brain shrinkage, especially in the hippocampus and temporal lobes. Symptoms often start gradually, typically with mild memory loss but eventually progress to severe issues with language, decision-making, and visual skills. As the disease advances, patients lose the ability to handle daily tasks and need full-time help. Diagnosis: Modern Approaches: In the past, diagnosing Alzheimer’s relied on clinical symptoms and ruling out other causes. Certainty came only after death. Recently, advances have made it possible to detect the disease much earlier and more accurately. Clinical assessment: Diagnosis is based on patient history, cognitive tests, and input from family members. Impairment in two or more cognitive areas is necessary for a likely diagnosis. Biomarker testing: In 2025, FDA-approved blood tests that measure plasma levels of amyloid and tau proteins are changing the diagnosis process, making it easier and less invasive than spinal fluid tests or PET scans. Neuroimaging: MRI and PET scans are used to identify hippocampal shrinkage and amyloid buildup, helping to rule out other types of dementia. Diagnostic criteria: Modern diagnosis follows DSM-5 and NIA-AA guidelines, which now highlight the importance of biomarkers and help distinguish Alzheimer’s from other brain disorders. Management and Supportive Care : Managing Alzheimer’s requires a team approach tailored to individual needs. The aims are to slow symptom progression, improve daily functioning, and support patients and caregivers. Pharmacological therapies: Cholinesterase inhibitors (like donepezil, rivastigmine, and galantamine) and NMDA receptor antagonists (memantine) are the primary treatments, offering modest relief from symptoms. Disease-modifying approaches: New treatments include monoclonal antibodies that target amyloid-beta (such as lecanemab) and tau proteins, providing hope for actual disease modification, although the effectiveness is still being researched. Lifestyle interventions: Activities that engage the mind, regular physical exercise, and a Mediterranean-style diet might help slow the decline and enhance quality of life. Psychoeducation and support: Caregivers face significant challenges, so education, support services, breaks for rest, and counseling are vital. Good communication techniques and changes to the environment can help reduce anxiety and agitation. Emerging Treatments: Research is progressing towards earlier diagnosis and prevention strategies using gene therapy, immunotherapies, and new drugs that target the disease directly. Blood tests and non-invasive screenings may soon make early detection and monitoring routine. While there is no cure, a comprehensive approach that includes clinical care, genetic factors, and lifestyle choices, along with ongoing research, is necessary to tackle the complex challenges of Alzheimer’s disease. In summary, Alzheimer’s disease in 2025 is diagnosed earlier and more accurately than ever before, thanks to advances in biomarkers and updated criteria. Current treatments mainly provide symptom relief, but new therapies aimed at the underlying disease could help slow its progression. A team-based approach, patient-focused strategies, and strong support for caregivers are essential for improving outcomes and quality of life.
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