The early signs of Alzheimer's disease 

One common early sign is forgetfulness, often noticed by those around the person. It's not just misplacing keys, but a more serious and progressive decline in cognitive abilities, including memory, thinking, and reasoning skills. A consultation with a medical professional should be considered if there is a change in memory especially if others have commented.

The Progression of Alzheimer's disease 

Alzheimer's progresses gradually, starting with minor memory issues and eventually leading to severe memory loss over several years. The progression is often categorised into three main stages: early, middle, and late. Early on, a person might still be independent but experience mild cognitive decline. In the middle stage, symptoms become more noticeable, and the person may require more assistance. The late stage is characterised by a complete dependence on caregivers for daily tasks and a loss of the ability to communicate.

How Alzheimer's differs from other forms of dementia, and the importance of distinguish between them

Dementia is an “umbrella” term for progressive decline in cognitive ability, with Alzheimer’s disease as a type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is a specific condition in which two key characteristics; amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles build up in the brain.

As the disease progresses, the levels of neurotransmitters decline. This causes brain cells to die and crucial connections between them to disappear, leading to a loss of memory and other mental functions. In the late stages of Alzheimer's, this widespread loss of neurons causes the brain to shrink, a process known as atrophy.

Most common misconceptions about Alzheimer's disease 

A major misconception is that Alzheimer's is completely unpreventable. Lifestyle factors such as physical activity, a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and healthy fats, stress management, social connections, sleep and quitting smoking and reducing alcohol can all contribute to brain health.  While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are now treatments that can modestly slow the disease's progression

The current treatments are available for Alzheimer's, and their effectiveness to slow down the disease's progression

There are two drugs that are available (Donanemab and Lecanemab). The first is approved by the TGA but both drugs are expensive and as yet neither is covered by the government. They are modestly effective at slowing the disease by approximately 6 to 7 months over an 18-month period. There are data, though less robust, supporting further efficacy over a longer period. Both drugs are associated with risks which should be evaluated and discussed.

New research findings and potential treatments o for those affected by Alzheimer's disease

There are numerous trials of drugs acting in a variety of ways, including even rebuilding synapses the connections between nerve cells, that look very promising. Some are entering phase 3 which is the last stage to assess efficacy before it is considered for governmental approval if a drug is considered effective. There is an increasing emphasis on early identification of Alzheimer’s to enable the best response from therapies and trial drugs. Blood tests for Alzheimer’s are now available, but they are expensive and not covered by the government. They are very promising but must be used in the appropriate context to minimise false positive and false negative results – a problem with any test.

For support, please contact the National Dementia Helpline on 1800 100 500 or for more information visit dementia.org.au

The information provided is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have questions regarding your health, talk to your doctor

Sources: 

Dementia Australia. (2025). Dementia facts and figures. Retrieved from https://www.dementia.org.au/about-dementia/dementia-facts-and-figures. ·Australian Dementia Network. (2025). Breakthrough dementia treatment finally approved, but is our health system ready?  Department of Health and Aged Care. (2025). About dementia. Retrieved from https://www.health.gov.au/topics/dementia/about-dementia

Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/alzheimers-disease-vs-other-types-of-dementia-understanding-the-differences Stanford Lifestyle Medicine https://lifestylemedicine.stanford.edu/reduce-alzheimers/

Alzheimer’s Society. https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/about-dementia/managing-the-risk-of-dementia/reduce-your-risk-of-dementia