Alzheimer's disease: New treatments and importance of early diagnosis

In observance of World Alzheimer's Day, health experts are emphasizing the critical importance of early diagnosis to improve quality of life and allow for better future planning. While current treatments cannot cure the disease, new biological medicines such as lecanemab and donanemab have been approved by the European Medicines Agency to slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer's. Pilot treatments using lecanemab are expected to begin in university clinical centers in Ljubljana and Maribor within the coming months.

In Slovenia, more than 47,000 people live with dementia, while the global figure exceeds 55 million. Currently, approximately 90 percent of patients are treated symptomatically. The National Institute of Public Health advises that timely medical intervention is essential to maintain patient independence. Additionally, the World Health Organization has recently redefined risk factors for dementia to improve prevention and management strategies.

Local community efforts have also marked the occasion, including a social event in Stročja vas where kindergarten and primary school students performed music and folklore for residents of a local elderly care unit to foster connection and support.