Alzheimer's Disease
The most common cause of dementia
What it is
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition and the most common cause of dementia, characterized by amyloid plaques and tau tangles and, clinically, by progressive memory and thinking difficulties. Vascular pathology frequently coexists — 'pure' Alzheimer's is less common than mixed disease.
Why it matters
Alzheimer's is among the most feared diagnoses, and no treatment cures it. But a substantial share of dementia risk is associated with modifiable factors, and the same vascular and metabolic levers that protect the heart also protect the brain — which means prevention, not just treatment, is a real lever.
What BioSignal knows about treating this
What works for Alzheimer's Disease
BioSignal’s clinical summary, most important first.
- Vascular risk-factor control (blood pressure, ApoB/LDL, glucose, smoking)
- Physical activity and cognitive/social engagement
- Sleep and hearing-loss treatment
- Cholinesterase inhibitors / memantine (symptomatic, modest)
- Anti-amyloid antibodies in early disease — modest slowing, with real risks (ARIA) and strict eligibility
Signal Records relevant to this condition
Interventions and contributing factors — some of these records describe a cause rather than a cure. The rating shown is BioSignal’s confidence in that Signal Record, not a claim about how well it treats this condition. Open any of them for the full evidence.
- Blood Pressure MedicationHigh confidence
Among the highest-value medicines ever made. The evidence isn't the problem — about half of people stop taking them, and that's where the strokes are.
- Omega-3 Fatty AcidsModerate confidence
Lowers triglycerides, and reduces preterm birth in pregnancy. Routine fish oil does NOT prevent cardiovascular disease, cancer or dementia in the general population. High-dose omega-3 increases atrial fibrillation risk — a real harm most bottles do not mention.
- Citicoline (CDP-Choline)Limited evidence
The best-evidenced popular nootropic, but mixed — a modest signal in vascular cognitive impairment, weak evidence in healthy adults, no dementia prevention.
New to this? Read these first
How this usually unfolds
- Recognize risk factors
- Get diagnosed
- Track key biomarkers
- Lifestyle first
- Evidence-based treatment
- Long-term monitoring
Who is at risk
- Older age (the dominant risk)
- APOE4 and family history
- Hypertension (especially midlife)
- Diabetes and insulin resistance
- Hearing loss
- Physical inactivity, smoking, excess alcohol
- Depression and social isolation
- Traumatic brain injury
How it's diagnosed
A clinical diagnosis supported by cognitive testing, history, and exclusion of reversible causes (B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, depression, medications, sleep apnoea). Imaging and, increasingly, amyloid/tau biomarkers (PET or blood-based) support the diagnosis in specialist settings.
Key biomarkers
Lifestyle
Explore this condition across BioSignal
Related Foundations
Related Signal Records
Related body systems
Frequently asked questions
Can Alzheimer's be prevented?
Not guaranteed — but a substantial share of dementia risk is associated with modifiable factors. Controlling blood pressure and ApoB, staying active, sleeping well, correcting hearing loss, and staying engaged meaningfully shift the odds. No supplement has been shown to prevent it.
Do the new anti-amyloid drugs cure Alzheimer's?
No. They produce a modest slowing of decline in early disease, with real risks (brain swelling/bleeding known as ARIA), high cost, and strict eligibility. They are a genuine advance, but they do not cure or reverse the disease.
Evidence summary
Risk-factor modification has strong population-level evidence (Lancet Commission) and supportive trial data (SPRINT MIND, FINGER); symptomatic drugs offer modest benefit; anti-amyloid antibodies slow decline modestly in early disease with meaningful risks. No supplement is established to prevent or treat it.
References & sources
- Lancet Commission on dementia prevention, intervention and care
- SPRINT MIND
- FINGER trial
- Lecanemab / donanemab trials
Educational information — not medical advice
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