Alzheimer’s Blood Tests, Funding for Research & More: 2024 Will Be a Big Year For Progress for Dementia
Every year, there are numerous exciting developments in dementia research that bring us one step closer to finding a new treatment or even a dementia cure. 2024 is no exception, and is shaping up to be a major year for Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Here are just a few of the promising developments and areas of focus for new dementia research in 2024.
Alzheimer’s Blood Tests
In the summer of 2023, the first blood test for Alzheimer’s disease hit the market. It was not FDA approved but did cause excitement about the possibility of a blood test that could detect Alzheimer’s disease much earlier in life.
Since then, research has continued to be conducted to develop a safe and effective blood test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s blood tests seem like a promising way to identify Alzheimer’s risk before cognitive symptoms start showing up.
Recently, a major breakthrough in the development of an Alzheimer’s blood test was made. Scientists from the University of Warwick have identified 11 proteins that could be biomarkers to predict dementia. This type of dementia blood test could predict Alzheimer’s and dementia as much as 15 years earlier than current diagnoses.
Early detection of Alzheimer’s could help tremendously in the fight against the disease. A predictive blood test would give people the opportunity to make lifestyle changes that slow cognitive decline and maybe even prevent the development of Alzheimer’s.
Alzheimer’s and Dementia Research Funding
Another reason to be optimistic about dementia research in 2024 is the amount of research funding being directed toward Alzheimer’s and dementia research. Funding is essential to continue the great Alzheimer’s research being done across the globe.
The United States’ National Institute on Aging (NIA) has long been a leader in dementia research, and that will be continuing in 2024. Last year, they announced a 6-year project to build up a huge Alzheimer’s research database that could provide new insights to researchers across the country. This project is well underway and will continue to progress throughout 2024.
The NIA is also seeking to advance Alzheimer’s research worldwide. They will be offering a new funding opportunity to support Alzheimer’s and dementia research studies in Africa, particularly in areas that have long been underserved.
Elsewhere, research at various institutions is continuing to be boosted by large grants to help advance our understanding of dementia. A national study led by researchers from the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health was recently given a $150 million grant. This study is focused on neuroimaging to gain a better understanding of Alzheimer’s and use this knowledge to develop more effective treatments.
NIA Concept For 2024
And there are plenty of other exciting developments and intriguing areas of focus for dementia research in 2024. The NIA recently released their first list of cleared research concepts for 2024, and numerous projects related to Alzheimer’s and dementia research were included.
One concept is the renewal of the Alzheimer’s Drug Development Program. This will continue to fund pharmaceutical testing to increase the number of new drugs being tested and diversify the drug candidates for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
Another area of focus will be in accessing and manipulating brain cell subtypes that have been shown to have a connection to Alzheimer’s disease. Recent technological advancements have generated more sophisticated tools to access and manipulate these cells, potentially leading to a better understanding of Alzheimer’s disease.
RNA modification is also a process that seems closely linked to Alzheimer’s disease. In 2024, the NIA will be looking to support innovative research that explores RNA modification and Alzheimer’s. The hope is that this research could lead to new strategies that better predict individuals’ Alzheimer’s and dementia risk.
With all the initiatives and developments described above, plus many more to come, 2024 could be a big year for progress in dementia research.
Sources:
https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/blog/2024/01/get-look-nias-first-cleared-research-concepts-2024
https://www.cedars-sinai.org/newsroom/can-a-blood-test-detect-alzheimers-disease/
https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/blood-test-early-alzheimer-s-detection
https://www.wpr.org/news/uw-madison-alzheimers-research-150m-grant
