Canadians with Down syndrome living longer, but still dying prematurely, study says
'It is something that I do worry about at times,' she said in an interview from her home in Alberton, P.E.I.
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Cision Canada
13 hours ago
- Cision Canada
FROM THE ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE 2025: ALZHEIMER'S ASSOCIATION RELEASES ITS FIRST CLINICAL PRACTICE GUIDELINE FOR BLOOD-BASED BIOMARKER TESTS
Key Takeaways At AAIC 2025, the Alzheimer's Association released the first in a series of clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and care of Alzheimer's and all other dementia. The guideline focuses on the use of blood-based biomarker tests by specialists to assess levels of Alzheimer's disease pathology in people with cognitive impairment. The Alzheimer's Association provides evidence-based resources to help clinicians identify the disease early and ensure patients receive the right treatment as quickly as possible. These and other planned guidelines are part of ALZPro ™, the Alzheimer's Association's centralized hub for resources, support and information for dementia professionals. TORONTO, July 29, 2025 /CNW/ -- In a landmark step toward transforming Alzheimer's disease diagnosis in specialty care, the Alzheimer's Association today released its first clinical practice guideline (CPG) on the use of blood-based biomarker (BBM) tests. The guideline is being reported at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® 2025 (AAIC ®) in Toronto and online, and published in Alzheimer's & Dementia®: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. The CPG provides clear evidence-based, brand-agnostic recommendations to support more accurate and accessible diagnosis of Alzheimer's using blood-based biomarker tests. The recommendations are linked to a systematic review using a robust and transparent methodology, and will be updated regularly as evidence evolves. "This is a pivotal moment in Alzheimer's care," said Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association chief science officer and medical affairs lead, and a co-author of the guideline. "For the first time, we have a rigorously evidence-based guideline that empowers clinicians to use blood biomarker tests confidently and consistently. Adoption of these recommendations will lead to quicker, more accessible, more accurate diagnoses — and better outcomes for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer's." The recommendations in the new CPG — both of which apply only to patients with cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care for memory disorders — are: BBM tests with ≥90% sensitivity and ≥75% specificity can be used as a triaging test, in which a negative result rules out Alzheimer's pathology with high probability. A positive result should also be confirmed with another method, such as a cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) or amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) test. BBM tests with ≥90% for both sensitivity and specificity can serve as a substitute for PET amyloid imaging or CSF Alzheimer's biomarker testing. The guideline cautions that there is significant variability in diagnostic test accuracy and many commercially available BBM tests do not meet these thresholds. "Not all BBM tests have been validated to the same standard or tested broadly across patient populations and clinical settings, yet patients and clinicians may assume these tests are interchangeable," said Rebecca M. Edelmayer, Ph.D., Alzheimer's Association vice president of scientific engagement and a co-author of the guideline. "This guideline helps clinicians apply these tools responsibly, avoid overuse or inappropriate use, and ensure that patients have access to the latest scientific advancements." Compared to standard-of-care PET imaging and CSF tests, blood-based biomarkers are typically less costly, more accessible and more acceptable to patients. The guideline emphasizes that BBM tests do not substitute for a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and should be ordered and interpreted by a health care professional in the context of clinical care. This is the first evidence-based guideline using Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology in the Alzheimer's space. The use of GRADE ensures a transparent, structured and evidence-based process for evaluating the certainty of evidence and formulating recommendations. This strengthens the credibility and reproducibility of the guideline and allows for explicit linkage between evidence and recommendations. This guideline's primary audience includes specialists involved in the diagnostic evaluation of cognitive impairment in specialized care settings. A specialist is defined as a health care provider, typically in neurology, psychiatry or geriatrics, who cares for adults with cognitive impairment or dementia. It also applies to primary care providers, nurse practitioners and physician assistants in specialized care settings. A panel of 11 clinicians convened by the Alzheimer's Association — including clinical neurologists, geriatricians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and subject-matter experts — conducted a systematic review and formulated evidence-based recommendations for using blood-based biomarkers in individuals with objective cognitive impairment, including those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia. Final recommendations were informed by public comments and input from the Association's National Early-Stage Advisory Group, which includes people living with early-stage Alzheimer's. For this initial iteration of the guideline, the BBMs included plasma phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) and amyloid-beta (Aβ) tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, ratio of p-tau217 to non-p-tau217 ×100 (%p-tau217), p-tau181, p-tau231, and ratio of Aβ42 to Aβ40. The various BBM tests measure abnormal forms of either amyloid beta or tau protein, the two biomarkers associated with Alzheimer's disease. Forty-nine (49) observational studies were reviewed and 31 BBM tests were evaluated. The panel determined that endorsing specific tests was premature, opting for a brand-agnostic, performance-based approach that blinded panel members to the tests they were evaluating to minimize bias. This ensures the guideline's credibility, durability and actionability. According to the panel: "Ranking or endorsing specific tests is premature at this time. Instead, test accuracy data and accuracy judgments reported in this guideline are meant to serve as a resource for clinicians … to aid them in choosing which test(s) to order." The panel formulated two recommendations and one Good Practice Statement for the use of BBM tests in the diagnostic workup of patients with objective cognitive impairment being seen in specialized care. Recommendation 1 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory-care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity BBM test as a triaging test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease. Recommendation 2 — In patients with objective cognitive impairment presenting for specialized memory care, the panel suggests using a high-sensitivity and high-specificity BBM test as a confirmatory test in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease. Good Practice Statement — A BBM test should not be obtained before a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a health care professional, and test results should always be interpreted within the clinical context. The panel urges clinicians to consider the pre-test probability of Alzheimer's disease pathology for each patient when deciding whether or not to use a BBM test. This CPG is part of ALZPro ™, the Alzheimer's Association's comprehensive hub of resources to promote best practices, empowering health professionals across disciplines to reduce risk, advance early detection, improve care and expand equitable access for all communities. ALZPro unites care resources, relevant scientific findings, clinical guidelines and insights, continuing education and implementation tools on one platform. Upcoming clinical practice guidelines will address cognitive assessment tools (Fall 2025), clinical implementation of staging criteria and treatment (2026) and prevention of Alzheimer's and other dementias (2027). This clinical practice guideline was convened and funded by the Alzheimer's Association, but the Association was not involved in formulating the clinical questions or recommendations. About the Alzheimer's Association International Conference ® (AAIC ®) The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) is the world's largest gathering of researchers from around the world focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. As a part of the Alzheimer's Association's research program, AAIC serves as a catalyst for generating new knowledge about dementia and fostering a vital, collegial research community. AAIC 2025 home page: AAIC 2025 newsroom: AAIC 2025 hashtag: #AAIC25 About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer's Association is a worldwide voluntary health organization dedicated to Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia ®. Visit or call 800.272.3900. Session: Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guidelines for Detection and Diagnosis of Cognitive Impairment using Blood-based Biomarkers and Cognitive Testing: Two Guideline Initiatives from the Alzheimer's Association Proposal ID: 108894 Oral Presentation: Tuesday, July 29, 2025: 2:00 P.M.-3:30 P.M. EDT (3-21-DEV) Clinical practice guideline for blood-based biomarkers in the diagnostic workup of Alzheimer's disease within specialized care settings: A report from the Alzheimer's Association Background: In recent years, blood-based biomarkers (BBMs) have transformed the diagnostic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD), with some now approaching readiness for clinical implementation. This progress aligns with the growing importance of accurate early diagnostics and availability of anti-Aβ therapies for the treatment of early symptomatic AD, reinforcing the need for more rapid and early diagnostic capabilities. To address this need, the Alzheimer's Association convened a multidisciplinary panel of clinical experts, subject-matter specialists, and guideline methodologists to conduct a systematic review and develop evidence-based recommendations for the use of BBMs in the diagnostic evaluation of AD. The scope of this guideline is focused on individuals with cognitive impairment - either MCI or dementia - who are undergoing diagnostic assessment in secondary or tertiary care settings. Method: The panel conducted a systematic review to assess BBMs' diagnostic test accuracy in detecting amyloid pathology for triaging (≥90% sensitivity, ≥75% specificity) and confirmatory (≥90% sensitivity and specificity) diagnostic workup. The BBMs of interest included plasma p-tau and Aβ tests measuring the following analytes: p-tau217, %p-tau217, p-tau181, p-tau231, and Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. The reference standard tests included CSF, amyloid PET, or neuropathology examination. The panel applied the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of the evidence and the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework to develop its recommendations. Result: Across 49 observational studies meeting eligibility criteria, 31 different BBM tests were evaluated. Using predefined decision thresholds, the panel determined whether each test has 1) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy to be used as a triaging test where a positive test is to be confirmed by PET or CSF, 2) sufficient diagnostic test accuracy as a confirmatory test to replace PET or CSF, or 3) insufficient diagnostic test accuracy to recommend current use in clinical practice. Recommendations will be provided in case any BBMs met a priori DTA thresholds. Conclusion: BBMs can improve early AD diagnosis and expand access to disease-modifying therapies. Evidence-based guidelines are key to standardizing their use and will be updated as new evidence and applications emerge. SOURCE Alzheimer's Association
Global News
14 hours ago
- Global News
Regular walking can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's for many, study shows
The first steps towards reducing the risk of cognitive decline associated with aging could be as simple as going for regular walks, according to new research. Multiple studies have shown that regular physical activity can be beneficial as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, and new research shared with Global News shows that it can also help reduce the risk of cognitive decline associated with dementia and Alzheimer's disease. 'Higher amounts of self-reported walking were associated with protection against declines in global thinking as well as in that executive function in both males and females,' says neuroscience, brain health and exercise researcher Dr. Cindy Barha at the University of Calgary, who was part of the research. 'So if you had a greater risk, physical activity, walking seems to be even more beneficial, like really important to be doing.' Story continues below advertisement Barha's team will be presenting the findings of the study at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference on Tuesday. The study involved roughly 3,000 participants over a 10-year period, with ages ranging from 70 to 79, who reported their daily walking routines to researchers. Those participants, who started the study with no cognitive impairments, were tested every few years to gauge their cognitive functions and speed, with positive results. Get weekly health news Receive the latest medical news and health information delivered to you every Sunday. Sign up for weekly health newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Engaging in habitual physical activity may mitigate these (cognitive decline) effects by preserving global cognition and executive function in older age,' the study's report says. 'This highlights the importance of investigating lifestyle factors, such as habitual walking, as potential intervention strategies to slow or prevent cognitive decline, especially in populations at higher genetic risk for Alzheimer's disease.' Participants also had genetic traits specifically related to dementia and cognitive decline, including types of genes that are associated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer's as well as those that offer greater protection. 4:13 Healthy Living Report June 4: benefits of walking regularly Participants with different genetic traits had varying results when performing the tests, but overall, physical activity was shown to help slow the decline in those at higher risk. Story continues below advertisement Exercise was shown to add an additional benefit for those with genes that already offered protection from cognitive decline associated with aging. Female participants also showed a greater benefit from regular exercise in most cases compared with their male counterparts. Barha says that because females statistically are at greater risk of developing Alzheimer's disease, they got a greater benefit from exercise than males, which is reflected in their cognitive scores. 'Females that have the APOE e4 version are even at a greater risk of Alzheimer's disease compared to men with the same gene, and higher amounts of self-reported walking were associated with protection against declines in global thinking as well as in that executive functions in both males and females, if they are an APOE-4 carrier,' Barha says. 'You should always exercise whether you're a female or male, but it may be more beneficial if you're at a greater risk genetically — women benefit a bit more.' Barha says a baseline level of walking for the study was 15 minutes per day, and that further studies could get more detailed, including varying levels of intensity, biological and geographical differences, as well as more controlled levels of exercise versus self-reported activity. 'The next steps would be to look at an intervention trial where we are targeting older adults that have these risks, that have this type of genetic risk factor and intervening different types of exercises to start to get at that personalization, that what is the optimal dose, the optimal type for preventing cognitive decline,' Barha says. Story continues below advertisement 'If you're at a risk for all Alzheimer's disease, in our case, we were looking at females, which is a risk factor, APOE4, which is risk factor. Exercise is more important, is important for everyone, but even more so for you.'
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
To stay sharper while aging, get active, challenge your brain, and eat healthy
WASHINGTON (AP) — It's official: Older Americans worried about cognitive decline can stay sharper for longer by exercising both their bodies and their brains and eating healthier. That's according to initial results released Monday from a rigorous U.S. study of lifestyle changes in seniors at risk of developing dementia. People following a combination of healthier habits slowed typical age-related cognitive decline — achieving scores on brain tests as if they were a year or two younger, researchers reported in JAMA and at the Alzheimer's Association International Conference. It's not too late to get started — study participants were in their 60s and 70s — and it doesn't require becoming a pickleball champ or swearing off ice cream. 'It was the first time I felt like I was doing something proactive to protect my brain,' said Phyllis Jones, 66, of Aurora, Illinois, who joined the study after caring for her mother with dementia and struggling with her own health problems. It's too soon to know if stalling age-related decline also could reduce the risk of later Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia. But Jones and other study participants underwent brain scans and blood tests that researchers now are analyzing for clues – such as whether people also saw a reduction in Alzheimer's-related protein buildup. 'We're all on a cognitive aging clock and anything we can do to slow that clock down, to me, that is a significant benefit,' said Laura Baker of Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who led the study. What's good for the heart is good for the brain Doctors have long encouraged physical activity and a healthy diet for brain fitness. Those steps fight high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes, factors that increase the risk of dementia. But until now the strongest evidence that specific lifestyle changes later in life could improve how people perform on brain tests came from a study in Finland. Would it work for a more sedentary and culturally diverse U.S. population? With funding from the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging, Baker's team tested the strategy for two years in 2,100 adults ages 60 to 79. Here's what study participants had to do Half of participants were randomly assigned to group classes for exercise and dietary changes plus brain-challenging homework – with peer support and coaches tracking their progress. They did a half-hour of moderately intense exercise four times a week — plus twice a week, they added 10 to 15 minutes of stretching and 15 to 20 minutes of resistance training. They followed the 'MIND diet' that stresses lots of leafy greens and berries plus whole grains, poultry and fish. Nothing is banned but it urges limiting red meat, fried or 'fast food' and sweets, and substituting olive oil for butter and margarine. They also had to meet someone or try something new weekly and do brain 'exercises' using an online program called Brain HQ. Other study participants, the control group, received brain-healthy advice and minimal coaching — they chose what steps to follow. Both improved but the groups fared significantly better. Combining social engagement with exercise and dietary steps may be key, said Jessica Langbaum of the Banner Alzheimer's Institute, who wasn't involved with the study. 'Americans want to have that one easy thing – 'If I just eat my blueberries,'' Langbaum said. 'There is no one magic bullet. It is a whole lifestyle.' How to exercise your body and mind on your own Moderately intense physical activity means raising your heart rate and panting a bit yet still able to talk, said Wake Forest's Baker. Pick something safe for your physical capability and start slowly, just 10 minutes at a time until you can handle more, she cautioned. Make it something you enjoy so you stick with it. Likewise there are many options for brain exercise, Baker said – puzzles, joining a book club, learning an instrument or a new language. Jones, a software engineer-turned-tester, learned she loves blueberry-spinach smoothies. Her favorite exercise uses an at-home virtual reality program that lets her work up a sweat while appearing to be in another country and communicating with other online users. One challenge: How to keep up the good work Researchers will track study participants' health for four more years and the Alzheimer's Association is preparing to translate the findings into local community programs. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. Will people with stick with their new habits? Jones lost 30 pounds, saw her heart health improve and feels sharper especially when multitasking. But she hadn't realized her diet slipped when study coaching ended until a checkup spotted rising blood sugar. Now she and an 81-year-old friend from the study are helping keep each other on track. The lifestyle change 'did not just affect me physically, it also affected me mentally and emotionally. It brought me to a much better place,' Jones said. —- The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
