A new generation of Alzheimer’s treatments is reshaping the landscape of dementia care. This webinar will examine what these drugs are, how they differ from previous therapies that primarily addressed symptoms, and what we know about their benefits and risks. Have these treatments changed patient care in meaningful ways? How are patients and families experiencing them in the real world? We will also explore pressing questions about affordability and access—particularly given that most people living with dementia rely on Medicare—and consider whether the clinical benefits observed to date justify the costs within a constrained health care system.
At the same time, advances in blood-based biomarkers now allow clinicians to detect Alzheimer’s-related brain changes before symptoms appear, raising complex ethical and clinical questions. How should this information be used, especially when many people with biomarker evidence may never develop dementia? The conversation will also address widespread claims about preventing cognitive decline—from coffee consumption to brain-training apps—separating evidence from hype. Finally, we will look ahead to the research frontier, highlighting the most promising scientific hypotheses and emerging approaches that could shape the next era of Alzheimer’s prevention and treatment.
This event is part of the NAM’s Health in the Headlines series. Additional speakers to be announced.
Agenda
3:00 | Welcome
3:05 | Discussion
- Kristine Yaffe (Moderator), University of California, San Francisco
- Adam Atherly, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Suzanne E. Schindler, WashU Medicine
- Meg Smith, Cure Alzheimer’s Fund
- Zaldy Tan, Cedars Sinai
3:50 | Audience Q&A
4:30 | Adjourn
