Breaking News Dispatch: New Discoveries in Alzheimer’s Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

From lifestyle changes that protect memory and cutting‑edge blood tests to promising long‑term treatment results, promising new developments in Alzheimer’s research were unveiled at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC) in Toronto. Researchers also shared new evidence linking decades‑old lead exposure to cognitive problems later in life, a reminder that brain health is shaped by both present and past experiences.

Read on for the latest breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment from one of the world’s leading Alzheimer’s research gatherings.

Adhering to a Healthy Lifestyle Protects the Brain

The first U.S. large-scale clinical trial to show that healthy lifestyle intervention can protect cognitive function, called the U.S. POINTER study, shared its latest findings. Using two lifestyle intervention strategies in older adults at risk for dementia, the study found that both approaches improved cognition in this population.

The interventions targeted four aspects of lifestyle: physical activity, diet, cognitive challenge, and health monitoring. Those participants who underwent a structured intervention—with more structure and support—showed greater improvement than those on the self-guided intervention.

“The potential to improve cognition with fewer resources and lower participant burden is compelling. It highlights that while not everyone has the same access or ability to adhere to more intensive behavior interventions, even modest changes may protect the brain,” said Laura D. Baker, PhD, professor at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and Advocate Health and U.S. POINTER principal investigator, in a statement.

Learn more about a brain healthy lifestyle here.

C2N Launches Two New Alzheimer’s Blood Tests

The makers behind the PrecivityAD and PrecivityAD2 blood tests announced the launch of two new diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s disease. BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research provided critical early support to C2N to drive their science forward.

C2N’s eMTBR-tau243 (endogenous Microtubule Binding Region) blood test measures a novel tau biomarker (MTBR-tau243) that’s more closely tied to Alzheimer’s symptoms than previous markers. It may help identify who is most likely to benefit from anti-amyloid therapies. Alzheimer’s Disease Research-funded scientist Gemma Salvadó, PhD, helped validate this blood test through the Swedish BioFINDER-2 study.

The second test is a novel phosphorylated tau multi-analyte assay called %p-tau MAA. It can measure multiple forms of tau from a single blood sample, allowing for a more efficient diagnosis. This approach gives physicians more insight into factors that impact aging.

“Patients and families worried about Alzheimer’s disease are pressing on the entire healthcare sector for a clearer picture of Alzheimer’s disease pathology,” said C2N CEO and President Dr. Joel Braunstein, in a statement. “We are responding, first for researchers and then for the broader global healthcare provider community.”

Their work brings us one step closer to personalized Alzheimer’s care.

The tests, eMTBR-tau243 and C2N %p-tau MAA, are currently for research use only and not yet available to consumers.

Lead Exposure Linked to Memory Problems

New research suggests that exposure to lead, even decades ago, may raise the risk of memory problems and possibly Alzheimer’s disease later in life.

A study of more than 600,000 older adults found that people who grew up in areas with high atmospheric lead levels from 1960–1974 were about 20% more likely to report memory issues 50 years later.

Experts stress there is no safe level of lead, and past exposures may leave the brain more vulnerable to age‑related decline. These findings underscore the importance of reducing other dementia risk factors today.

“Our study may help us understand the pathways that contribute to some people developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease,” said Eric Brown, MD, lead author of the study at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, in a statement.

Learn more about how your environment can impact your brain health.

At-Home Leqembi® On the Horizon

A more convenient way to continue Alzheimer’s treatment could soon be within reach. New data shows that a once‑weekly subcutaneous autoinjector form of Leqembi may offer the same clinical benefits and safety as its current intravenous (IV) formulation, but without infusion center visits.

This potential maintenance option could be self‑administered at home after the initial 18 months of IV therapy, reducing treatment time and improving access for people with early Alzheimer’s disease. Nearly all patients, care partners, and healthcare providers in the study found the device easy to use, with over 95% reporting high satisfaction.

“From the perspective of patients and care partners, benefits included the ability to use the device at home, shortening treatment time, and to continue treatment without having to worry about visiting an infusion center,” said the company in a statement. “[Healthcare providers] reported that the device has the potential to provide a new option for patients who are benefiting from lecanemab to continue the treatment.”

Find out more about Leqembi and other Alzheimer’s treatments.

Kisunla® Shows Lasting Brain Benefits Over Three Years

Eli Lilly announced new results from its Phase 3 TRAILBLAZER‑ALZ 2 long‑term extension study showing that Kisunla® (donanemab) continued to slow memory and thinking decline for people with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease — with benefits growing over three years. Starting treatment earlier made the biggest difference, reducing the risk of disease progression by 27% compared to starting later.

More than 75% of participants reached amyloid clearance, the treatment’s main goal, within about 18 months, and most maintained low amyloid levels for years after stopping treatment. No new safety concerns were seen, underscoring the value of early intervention and the potential for a limited‑duration treatment to deliver sustained benefits.

“The TRAILBLAZER-ALZ 2 long-term extension reaffirms that Kisunla delivered sustained clinical benefit that continued to increase over three years and a consistent safety profile,” said Mark Mintun, MD, group vice president, Neuroscience Research & Development, Eli Lilly and Company, in a statement. “Participants continued to show meaningful outcomes, reinforcing the long-term value of early intervention.”

Get the facts on Kisunla.

Explore more hot topics discussed at the conference:

View Alzheimer’s disease resources and learn more about the innovative research funded by BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research program.

Did you miss our previous Breaking News Dispatches from top Alzheimer’s and dementia conferences? Catch up here.

This Breaking News Dispatch is supported by sponsorship funding from Lilly.