Alzheimer's Disease
September 13, 2012
New treatments needed to avert "national crisis"
Last year, the first American Baby Boomers turned 65. Members of the demographic bulge that transformed American politics and culture are expected to usher in yet another momentous change — a huge increase in the number of Alzheimer's disease patients.
Although Alzheimer's is not a natural condition of aging, the vast majority of patients diagnosed with the disease are ages 65 and over. As the senior population in the United States continues to grow, the number of Alzheimer's patients will more than double as well unless new treatments to prevent, arrest or cure the disease are found. By 2050, the number of Americans with the disease is projected to reach 13.5 million at a cost of over $1.1 trillion unless new treatments to prevent, arrest or cure the disease are found.[i] According to the Alzheimer’s Association a new medicine that delays the onset of the disease could change that trajectory and save $447 billion a year by 2050. (View the chart Avoiding Future Costs: Need for New Treatments for Alzheimer's Disease)
Hope lies with new treatments. Today, America's biopharmaceutical companies are researching 93 medicines for Alzheimer's and other dementias, according to a report released by PhRMA. The medicines in development - all in either clinical trials or under review by the Food and Drug Administration - include 81 for Alzheimer's disease, 11 for cognition disorders, 2 for dementias, and 5 for diagnostics (some are in development for more than one disorder). The work indicates a major commitment to Alzheimer's, given that each new medicine costs, on average, more than $1 billion to research and develop (including the costs of the many failures). Learn more about selected medicines in development for Alzheimer's disease.
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Even modest progress can drastically change the trajectory of this disease, which some warn is like a "tsunami" headed our way. For example, a breakthrough that delays the onset of Alzheimer's disease by just five years would mean a significant drop in the number of Alzheimer's patients. Most importantly, such a breakthrough would reduce an untold amount of suffering for patients and their families.
Researchers say we can stop Alzheimer's, but only if we invest public and private resources to find a cure. With continued dedication, we hope to make a difference for every person at risk of suffering from this terrible, debilitating disease.
Additional Resources
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