Alzheimer’s disease is one of the biggest health problems today. As people live longer, more brains are affected. The illness slowly steals memory and thinking skills, making everyday life hard.
New drugs called monoclonal antibodies, like lecanemab and donanemab, can slow down the loss of thinking ability. They do not fix the brain or bring back lost memory, but they give hope that the decline can be slowed.
A recent review in Science China Life Sciences by Professor Yan‑Jiang Wang and his team explains why progress has been slow. They say that targeting only one cause does not work because Alzheimer’s is a very complicated disease.
Alzheimer’s Involves Many Linked Factors
The scientists point out three main ideas that are changing the way we think about the disease.
More Than Just Amyloid‑Beta
For years, researchers tried to remove a protein called amyloid‑beta. The results were limited. Now they also look at another protein called Tau. When Tau gets too many phosphate groups, it forms tangled clumps that kill brain cells. Treating both amyloid‑beta and Tau may work better.
Genes and Gene Editing
Genes play a big role in who gets Alzheimer’s. The most well‑known risk gene is APOE ε4, but other gene versions are being found, especially in different populations. New tools like CRISPR/Cas9 might one day edit these risky genes and lower the chance of getting the disease.
Aging and Whole‑Body Health
Aging is the strongest risk factor. As we age, our cell power (mitochondria) weakens, damaged cells build up, and DNA gets hurt. Some scientists are testing “senolytic” drugs that clear out old, harmful brain cells to keep the brain healthier.
Health problems that affect the whole body also matter. Things like insulin resistance, high blood pressure, and an unbalanced gut microbiome can make Alzheimer’s worse. Researchers are checking whether diabetes medicines or treatments that fix the gut‑brain link can help.
Moving Toward Combined, Multi‑Target Treatments
The review suggests that future medicines should hit several targets at once: amyloid‑beta, Tau, risky genes, aging cells, and overall body health. By attacking the disease from many angles, we may finally slow or even stop its progress.