What’s the Latest in Dementia Treatment: 2025

Every March we look at what’s new in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. The past year brought real progress. Here is a summary of where things stand as of March 2025.

Two drugs that target the cause of Alzheimer’s

For the first time, doctors have medicines that go after amyloid, the sticky protein that builds up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. They don’t cure the disease, but in clinical trials they modestly slowed decline in people in the early stages.

• Leqembi (lecanemab) received full FDA approval in July 2023. In January 2025, the FDA approved a maintenance option: after 18 months of infusions every two weeks, patients may switch to an infusion every four weeks, which is easier for patients and caregivers.
• Kisunla (donanemab) was approved by the FDA in July 2024. It is given as a monthly infusion, and patients may be able to stop treatment once scans show the amyloid has been cleared.

Who these drugs are for

These treatments are only for people with mild cognitive impairment or mild dementia due to Alzheimer’s, with amyloid confirmed by a PET scan or spinal fluid test. They are not for moderate or advanced dementia. Both can cause a side effect called ARIA, swelling or small bleeds in the brain, so patients need regular MRI scans. People with certain genes (APOE4) and those on blood thinners face higher risks. Medicare covers these drugs for eligible patients whose doctors take part in a national registry.

Blood tests are coming

Diagnosing Alzheimer’s has usually required a PET scan or spinal tap. A growing number of laboratory blood tests that measure Alzheimer’s-related proteins are now offered through doctors’ offices, although as of early 2025 none had yet been cleared by the FDA. Researchers expect blood testing to make earlier diagnosis simpler and less expensive.

Prevention: what we can control

In July 2024, the Lancet Commission on dementia reported 14 risk factors that can be changed, including high blood pressure, hearing loss, high LDL cholesterol, untreated vision loss, physical inactivity, smoking, diabetes, depression, social isolation and excess alcohol. The commission estimated that nearly half of dementia cases might be prevented or delayed by addressing them.

What it means for families

If you notice early memory changes in a loved one, see a doctor sooner rather than later. The new treatments work best in the earliest stages. For people already living with moderate or advanced dementia, good daily care, routine, activity and connection remain the most important “treatment” of all.

This article reflects information available as of March 2025 and is not medical advice. Talk with a doctor about treatment options.

Have questions about memory care for someone you love? Call Generations Senior Living at (352) 474-2696 or schedule a tour of one of our three homes near The Villages.