Concern grows over Alzheimer's in the State

BarcelonaAlzheimer's is irreversible and untreated. Like other neurodegenerative diseases, its progression is relentless and is characterized by neuronal death and progressive disability in the sufferer. It is a pathology as complex as the functioning of the human brain, and since it is associated with age, diagnoses will become increasingly frequent as society ages. According to the report, Study of the social perception of Alzheimer's in Spain According to a report prepared by the Pasqual Maragall Foundation through the Alzheimer's and Dementia Observatory, this disease is one of the main health concerns for the Spanish population, although they have also detected a "high level of ignorance and misinformation" about the risk factors for Alzheimer's.

In fact, it's the disease of greatest concern, behind cancer and ahead of stroke. For the foundation's director, Arcadi Navarro, "it's necessary to move toward a new prioritization of Alzheimer's in Spain; much work remains to be done." Navarro presented the results of the study this Monday in Madrid, conducted in collaboration with Novo Nordisk. According to the report's findings, this disease continues to be perceived as the leading health problem for older adults, far behind other diseases such as stroke and Parkinson's.

It is estimated that more than 950,000 people in Spain have dementia, with Alzheimer's being the most common cause, accounting for between 60 and 70% of cases. Although the population is aware of the impact of the disease, the report reveals that they do not recognize the importance of modifiable factors associated with Alzheimer's, such as stress, an unhealthy diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and insomnia. According to the Pasqual Maragall Foundation, up to 45% of dementia cases could be prevented or slowed by adopting healthy lifestyle habits.

Poorly prepared health system

The authors conducted more than 1,600 surveys since the end of January to conduct the study. According to the results, two-thirds of Spaniards know someone with the disease, and 67% have direct contact with a patient. However, the results show "the need to strengthen the role of the healthcare system in addressing this disease," as 70% of respondents believe that the Spanish public healthcare system is not prepared to care for Alzheimer's patients, 25% believe it is prepared, and only 4% believe it is very prepared.

Furthermore, the data show that early diagnosis of Alzheimer's is a priority for the Spanish population, as nine out of ten people say they would undergo a test to determine the presence of the disease in its mild and asymptomatic stages. "Early diagnosis increases the chances of more effective treatment and reduces healthcare costs," Navarro argues.

More research

At the end of last year, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) authorized the marketing of lecanemab, the first drug that slows the progression of Alzheimer's symptoms. It's a drug that reduces cognitive impairment by up to 27% in people suffering from this disease and is expected to reach the Member States after other countries such as the United States, Japan, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Israel, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom have already approved it. Like this drug, the scientific community is reaping the rewards of more than 30 years of Alzheimer's research, and more therapeutic alternatives for the disease are expected to emerge.

In this sense, 91% of those surveyed are in favor of increasing the public budget allocated to research, and 92% believe that new treatments should be funded with public money. The Pasqual Maragall Foundation points out that there are currently 164 clinical trials underway evaluating 127 drugs related to this disease.