PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

The Lancet: Experts outline healthcare, policy, and social changes needed to make the most of Alzheimer’s treatment breakthroughs

2025-09-22
(Press-News.org) The approval of new antibody medications for Alzheimer's disease – lecanemab and donanemab – and diagnostic tests in the blood mark the beginning of a new era in Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and treatment. However, without rapid reform in healthcare systems, public policy, and societal attitudes, their potential will not be fully realised, argue 40 leading Alzheimer's disease experts in The Lancet Series on Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease accounts for about 70% of all dementia cases and is a leading cause of disability, resulting in high societal and economic costs.

In a novel comparison, the Series highlights that the new monoclonal antibody treatments can slow Alzheimer's disease progression to a level comparable to the efficacy of medicines for cancer, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis. However, the authors say that differences in age, patient outcomes, and side effects mean such comparisons should be treated cautiously.

Disease 

Alzheimer’s (Lecanemab) 

Alzheimer’s (Donanemab) 

Early stage breast cancer 

Lung cancer 

Multiple sclerosis 

Rheumatoid arthritis 

Efficacy in delaying progression 

8% 

10% 

9% 

32% 

4% 

n/a 

Reduction in progression on disability scales  

0.19 

0.26 

n/a 

 

n/a 

 

0.20 

0.25 

For a more detailed comparison see table 2, page 8 in the third paper ‘Alzheimer's disease outlook: controversies and future directions’ 

Despite the similarity in treatment effectiveness for other diseases, high costs of medication, complex testing requirements, suboptimal care for behavioural symptoms, and under-resourcing risk leaving Alzheimer’s patients behind. 

Encouragingly, improvements in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease are also on the horizon, with emerging Brain Health Services identifying people at a high risk for developing the disease and providing them with personalised treatment programs. Yet most cases of Alzheimer's disease occur in people with low or normal risk, making population-wide measures, which decrease risk – such as healthier urban design and restrictions on alcohol and sugary drinks – essential. 

The authors call for coordinated global action so that the rapid pace of science advancement in the field of Alzheimer's disease is matched by reforms at the level of healthcare providers, policy, and society.  

Lead author of the Series, Professor Giovanni Frisoni, University of Geneva (Switzerland), says: “Blood tests, biological drugs for Alzheimer's disease, and prevention interventions are propelling care into entirely new and exciting territory. However, the old needs of patients will not disappear. On the contrary, more general practitioners and dementia specialists will need to master the less glamorous but steady advances made in the past few decades in the care and treatment of behavioural disorders, the use of sophisticated diagnostic imaging and laboratory tools, and psychosocial care. A concerted societal effort in this direction will enable our current and future patients to benefit fully from the potential of scientific and technological advances.” 

END


ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

6 in 10 US music fans say they have been sexually harassed/assaulted at a live gig, survey suggests

2025-09-22
Six out of 10 music fans say they have been sexually harassed or assaulted at a live gig in the US, suggest the results of a survey, published online in the journal Injury Prevention. Women are more than twice as likely as men to have been affected, the responses indicate, but various barriers prevented most respondents from reporting the incident at the time. Data from Australia, the UK, Sweden, Finland and Nigeria indicate that inappropriate sexual behaviour is prevalent at live music events. But few studies have focused on the USA or included a broad range of venues, such as festivals and large arenas, theatres, and clubs, note the researchers.  To explore this further, ...

EPB Quantum℠ adds hybrid computing to comprehensive quantum development platform

2025-09-22
Key Points This effort leverages historical industrial partnerships between ORNL and NVIDIA, EPB and IonQ, which represent a combined 30-plus years of cutting-edge R&D in both the quantum and classical computing spaces. ORNL’s computing strategy emphasizes hybrid high-performance computing and includes a future of CPUs, GPUs, QPUs and other technologies to solve different aspects of challenging computer problems. Hybrid computing has the potential to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing American industries, and ORNL is excited to bring its ...

Pre-visit questionnaire with EHR integration improves family history documentation and supports prevention and referrals in primary care

2025-09-22
Original Research Pre-Visit Questionnaire With EHR Integration Improves Family History Documentation and Supports Prevention and Referrals in Primary Care  Background and Goal: This study evaluated whether a pre-visit, patient-completed family history questionnaire that automatically uploads to the electronic health record (EHR) and triggers a same-day notification for family physicians improves family history documentation and subsequent conversations. Study Approach: Researchers ran a six-month, matched hybrid effectiveness–implementation study in three primary care practices affiliated with the University of Toronto Practice-based Research ...

Study identifies functions to expect from interdisciplinary care teams delivering whole person substance use disorder care for pregnant people

2025-09-22
Original Research Study Identifies Functions to Expect From Interdisciplinary Care Teams Delivering Whole Person Substance Use Disorder Care for Pregnant People  Background and Goal: This study set out to identify the professionals, roles, and core functions of interdisciplinary teams that serve pregnant people with substance use disorders and describe how those functions are organized across different settings.  Study Approach: Researchers conducted a qualitative observational study in Oregon at seven organizations that implemented Project Nurture and Nurture Oregon, integrated team-based care models that bring ...

“Light-touch” EHR referral strategy connects patients with prediabetes to community-based diabetes prevention programs

2025-09-22
Original Research “Light-Touch” EHR Referral Strategy Connects Patients With Prediabetes to Community-Based Diabetes Prevention Programs Background and Goal: This study tested whether a referral order inside the Epic electronic health record (EHR) could help primary care clinicians refer patients to community-based diabetes prevention programs (DPPs), an important public health strategy to reduce incident type 2 diabetes, and whether patients enrolled  after referral. Study Approach: ...

16-Year study indicates rising patient complexity and fewer patients seen per day in Alberta primary care

2025-09-22
Original Research 16-Year Study Indicates Rising Patient Complexity and Fewer Patients Seen Per Day in Alberta Primary Care Background and goal: In this study, researchers examined changes over time in characteristics of adults cared for by family physicians from 2004 to 2020 in Alberta, Canada, along with trends in family physicians and their practice patterns for adults over 18 years old.  Study approach: Using linked administrative health data, including physician billing claims and hospital/ambulatory data, the researchers created annual, population-based snapshots from 2004 to 2020 of adults seeing family physicians providing comprehensive care. They tracked ...

Practice-level metric provides “big-picture” look that may reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in Arkansas Medicaid PCMHs

2025-09-22
Original Research Practice-Level Metric Provides “Big-Picture” Look That May Reduce Unnecessary  Antibiotic Use in Arkansas Medicaid PCMHs  Background and Goal: In this study, researchers developed, implemented and measured a claims-based, practice-level performance measure to calculate, track and influence antibiotic prescribing variation across Arkansas Medicaid’s patient-centered medical home (PCMH) program.  Study Approach: This retrospective, observational study used 2019–2021 outpatient antibiotic paid claims, attributing each claim ...

More low-income adults reported having a usual source of care after the Affordable Care Act

2025-09-22
Research Brief More Low-Income Adults Reported Having a Usual Source of Care After the Affordable Care Act Background and Goal: Before the Affordable Care Act (ACA), uninsured and low-income adults were less likely to have a usual source of care due to cost, coverage, and access barriers. This study evaluated changes in the prevalence of usual sources of care and the reasons for lacking one before and after ACA implementation.   Study Approach: Researchers analyzed 2010 to 2017 data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey-Household ...

Combining Medicare wellness visits with problem-based visits reduces no-show rates and closes screening gaps

2025-09-22
Original Research  Combining Medicare Wellness Visits With Problem-Based Visits Reduces No-Show Rates and Closes Screening Gaps  Background and Goal: A recurrent barrier to Medicare annual wellness visits, which provide preventative medicine guidance for older and disabled patients, occurs when patients introduce medical concerns to physicians during these preventative visits. In this study, researchers scheduled combined visits in a single, longer slot with patients’ regularly seen clinicians and used allowed billing rules so both visits could count to see if they could increase the percentage of ...

Current sexual orientation, gender identity, and differences of sex development measures in federal health surveys

2025-09-22
Methodology Current Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, and Differences of Sex Development Measures in Federal Health Surveys Background and Goal: Federal health surveys are a key source for understanding health needs in the U.S., including the needs of people in LGBTQ+ community. This methodology paper characterized the current landscape of measures capturing sexual orientation, gender identity, and differences of sex development in federal health surveys, detailing when and how the information was collected. Approach: ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

Bio-based nanocellulose aerogels offer sustainable thermal insulation with fire safety

Steel sludge transformed into powerful water cleaner for antibiotic pollution

Global farmlands face hidden risks from “forever chemicals” PFAS

The Lancet: Experts outline healthcare, policy, and social changes needed to make the most of Alzheimer’s treatment breakthroughs

6 in 10 US music fans say they have been sexually harassed/assaulted at a live gig, survey suggests

EPB Quantum℠ adds hybrid computing to comprehensive quantum development platform

Pre-visit questionnaire with EHR integration improves family history documentation and supports prevention and referrals in primary care

Study identifies functions to expect from interdisciplinary care teams delivering whole person substance use disorder care for pregnant people

“Light-touch” EHR referral strategy connects patients with prediabetes to community-based diabetes prevention programs

16-Year study indicates rising patient complexity and fewer patients seen per day in Alberta primary care

Practice-level metric provides “big-picture” look that may reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in Arkansas Medicaid PCMHs

More low-income adults reported having a usual source of care after the Affordable Care Act

Combining Medicare wellness visits with problem-based visits reduces no-show rates and closes screening gaps

Current sexual orientation, gender identity, and differences of sex development measures in federal health surveys

Penn State Health’s patient-centered quality metric reframing project may serve as a model for presenting future quality metrics

Adding pharmacy technicians to primary care teams helps manage medication access

High educational debt and long work hours are associated with burnout symptoms in early-career family physicians

CHART guideline provides 12 key reporting items for AI chatbot health advice studies

George Mason public health researchers enter new phase of NIH funded research on child health

Heatwaves in US rivers increasing up to four times faster than air heatwaves

Dried fish – the hidden superfood vital for millions of women and children in Africa

Research shows there are no easy fixes to political hatred

A recipe from two eras: How conifers ward off their enemies

An important signaling system for developing social skills

How the brain responds to bullying

Koala stress linked to disease threat

Medical University of South Carolina professor to receive the 2025 Population Research Prize

Over 62,700 deaths associated with record-breaking heat during the summer of 2024 in Europe

Alcohol consumption per capita and suicide

Prevalence and trajectories of perinatal anxiety and depression in a large urban medical center

[Press-News.org] The Lancet: Experts outline healthcare, policy, and social changes needed to make the most of Alzheimer’s treatment breakthroughs