A New Era in Dementia Care: Breakthroughs in Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment

The Turning Point in Dementia Care

For decades, a dementia diagnosis felt like a devastating and inevitable decline—an unstoppable force stealing memories, independence, and ultimately, identity. But today, we stand on the brink of a new era. Thanks to groundbreaking research, innovative treatments, and a deeper understanding of modifiable risk factors, we now have powerful tools to prevent, delay, and manage mild cognitive impairment and dementia like never before.

At Sunday Health, we believe that knowledge and early action are key to fighting this condition. The latest scientific advancements provide not only hope but also tangible ways to change the course of cognitive decline. In this post, we’ll explore the latest breakthroughs in dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment—and why the next decade could transform how we approach cognitive health.

Prevention: A Critical Piece of the Puzzle

One of the most significant shifts in dementia research is the understanding that lifestyle changes can dramatically reduce risk.

The FINGER Study: A Game Changer in Dementia Prevention

A decade ago, the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) provided a groundbreaking insight: lifestyle changes can slow cognitive decline. The study, published in 2015, showed that a combination of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk management helped at-risk older adults maintain or even improve brain function.

To expand on the success of the FINGER study, the World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network was launched in 2017 and now spans over 25 countries, adapting and testing multidomain lifestyle interventions across diverse populations. This global initiative fosters collaboration, ensuring data sharing and refinement of strategies to make dementia prevention more effective worldwide. In the U.S., the POINTER Study, led by the Alzheimer’s Association, is evaluating how the FINGER model can be tailored to an American population, considering factors like diet, healthcare access, and cultural differences. By studying the effects of lifestyle changes on cognitive decline in at-risk older adults, U.S. POINTER aims to provide critical insights that could shape national dementia prevention efforts.

By adopting key lifestyle changes—such as staying physically active, eating a brain-healthy diet, managing blood pressure, and staying socially engaged—individuals can significantly reduce their risk of dementia. Prevention is no longer just a theory; it’s an actionable reality.

A Broader Look at Risk Reduction

The FINGER study was one of the first to prove that lifestyle interventions can protect brain health, but it’s not the only research shaping our understanding of dementia prevention. In recent years, scientists have identified a range of risk factors that contribute to cognitive decline—many of which can be modified to prevent or delay the onset of dementia.

14 Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Prevention

The Lancet Commission’s July 31, 2024, report identified 14 modifiable risk factors that, if addressed, could prevent or delay nearly half of all dementia cases. These include:

Hearing loss
Traumatic brain injury
High blood pressure
Excessive alcohol use
Obesity
Smoking
Depression
Social isolation
Physical inactivity
Diabetes
Air pollution exposure
Untreated vision loss
High LDL cholesterol
Low education levels

By taking proactive steps—such as maintaining a heart-healthy diet, staying physically and socially active, managing stress, and treating conditions like hypertension and diabetes—individuals can significantly reduce their risk of developing dementia. Prevention isn’t just a possibility; it’s a reality within reach.

The Power of Early Detection: Biomarkers and AI-Driven Diagnosis

Early detection of dementia is critical—and the latest breakthroughs in biomarkers and artificial intelligence are making it easier than ever to detect signs of cognitive decline years before symptoms become apparent.

Blood-Based Biomarkers Traditionally, diagnosing dementia required expensive brain scans or invasive spinal taps. Now, researchers have developed blood-based biomarkers that can detect amyloid and tau proteins, key indicators of Alzheimer’s disease, in its earliest stages. These tests are poised to revolutionize dementia screening, making early detection more affordable and accessible.

Artificial Intelligence and Personalized Care Pathways AI is also playing a transformative role in dementia care. Machine learning models can analyze electronic health records, cognitive assessments, and even voice patterns to predict cognitive decline before noticeable symptoms emerge. These technologies enable personalized care pathways, where individuals receive interventions tailored to their unique risk factors and genetic profiles, maximizing their chances of maintaining cognitive function.

At Sunday Health, we integrate cutting-edge diagnostic tools with personalized care strategies to ensure that those at risk for or experiencing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) receive the support they need—when it matters most.

New FDA-Approved Drugs: A Historic Milestone

For years, Alzheimer’s treatments focused primarily on symptom management rather than modifying the disease’s course. That changed with the FDA’s approval of two groundbreaking monoclonal antibody treatments:

Lecanemab (Leqembi)
Donanemab (Kisunla)

These drugs target and remove amyloid plaques in the brain—believed to be a key driver of Alzheimer’s disease. Clinical trials show that they can slow cognitive decline by up to 35% in patients with early-stage disease, marking a major step forward in dementia treatment. While not a cure, these drugs offer a real opportunity to extend quality of life and independence.

The Pipeline: What’s Coming Next?

The future of dementia treatment looks even more promising. Dozens of drugs are currently in clinical trials, targeting different mechanisms of the disease, including:

Tau-targeting therapies, which aim to prevent harmful tau tangles from spreading in the brain.
Anti-inflammatory drugs, addressing the role of neuroinflammation in cognitive decline.
Neuroprotective compounds, designed to preserve brain cells and support synaptic function.
GLP-1 receptor agonists, traditionally used to treat diabetes and obesity, are being investigated for their potential role in dementia treatment, due to their neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory properties.

The Role of Inflammation in Dementia: New Clinical Trials

Emerging research highlights chronic inflammation as a key driver of neurodegeneration. Clinical trials are now investigating anti-inflammatory treatments for dementia, including:

Repurposing rheumatoid arthritis and cardiovascular anti-inflammatory drugs for Alzheimer's.
Targeting microglia, the brain’s immune cells, to reduce harmful inflammation.
Exploring GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as The FINGER Study: A Game Changer in Dementia Prevention
A decade ago, the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) provided a groundbreaking insight: lifestyle changes can slow cognitive decline. The study, published in 2015, showed that a combination of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and vascular risk management helped at-risk older adults maintain or even improve brain function.
Building on this success, the World-Wide FINGERS (WW-FINGERS) Network was launched in 2017 to expand these findings globally. Now spanning over 25 countries, this initiative tailors the FINGER model to diverse populations, identifying the most effective dementia prevention strategies worldwide. The network fosters collaboration across studies, ensuring that data is shared, interventions are refined, and more people benefit from proven approaches to brain health.
By adopting key lifestyle changes — such as staying physically active, eating a brain-healthy diet, managing blood pressure, and staying socially engaged—individuals can significantly reduce their risk of dementia. Prevention is no longer just a theory; it’s an actionable reality.
Semaglutide (Ozempic), to assess their effects on brain function.

These studies could pave the way for new treatment strategies that slow disease progression and enhance cognitive resilience.

Lessons from Cardiology and Oncology: A Hopeful Future

To understand where dementia care is headed, we can look at cardiology and oncology—two fields that have dramatically evolved over the past few decades:

Cardiology: In the past, heart disease was often a death sentence. But with the discovery of risk factors (such as high cholesterol and hypertension), widespread screening, and the development of life-saving drugs like statins, the death rate from heart disease has dropped significantly.
Oncology: Cancer treatment has transformed from a generalized, one-size-fits-all approach to highly personalized therapies—allowing patients to live longer and healthier lives than ever before.

Dementia is now on a similar trajectory. By combining prevention, early detection, and targeted treatments, we are moving toward a future where cognitive decline can be delayed, managed, and one day even reversed.

The Next Decade: A Call to Action

At Sunday Health, we are dedicated to bringing these breakthroughs into everyday practice. Whether through early screenings, lifestyle interventions, or access to the latest treatments, we help individuals take control of their cognitive health.

If you or a loved one are concerned about memory loss or cognitive decline, don’t wait. Schedule a consultation with Sunday Health today, and take the first step toward a future of longer, healthier, and more independent living.