Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and progressively affects a person’s memory, thinking, daily functioning, and independence. Symptoms such as repeating questions, difficulty recalling recent events, finding words, or performing familiar activities may be early signs and warrant a specialized medical evaluation.
From Clinical Presentation to Biological Diagnosis
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
In recent years, the way we approach Alzheimer’s disease has changed significantly. Diagnosis is no longer based solely on symptoms and cognitive assessment but can, where appropriate, be supported by biomarkers that detect the disease’s characteristic biology.
Two proteins play a central role in the disease: β-amyloid and tau. Beta-amyloid accumulates in the brain and forms characteristic plaques, while pathological tau accumulates inside neurons. These two pathological processes are associated with neuronal dysfunction and progressive neuronal loss.
Today, the presence of these pathological proteins can be investigated using blood or cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, as well as specialized imaging tests, such as amyloid PET and tau PET, to detect β-amyloid deposition in the brain.
Brain MRI remains an important part of the diagnostic workup, both for evaluating possible patterns of brain atrophy and for ruling out other causes of cognitive decline.
These tests are not necessary for all patients. The decision to perform them is made on a case-by-case basis, depending on the clinical presentation, the stage of the cognitive disorder, and the specific diagnostic question at hand.
New Treatment Options
Advances in the biological understanding of the disease have also led to the development of the first disease-modifying therapies.
Lecanemab and donanemab are monoclonal antibodies that target beta-amyloid and help remove amyloid pathology from the brain, with the goal of slowing the clinical progression of the disease in appropriately selected patients.
These therapies are not a cure and require careful patient selection and structured monitoring. Of particular importance is ARIA (Amyloid-Related Imaging Abnormalities), a potential adverse effect that may manifest as edema and/or hemorrhagic lesions in the brain and requires systematic monitoring via MRI.
APOE e4 also plays an important role in the assessment; it is a genetic variant associated with an increased risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease as well as an increased risk of ARIA during treatment. Knowledge of the APOE genotype can therefore contribute to personalized counseling and risk assessment before the start of treatment.
Modern treatment is holistic
The management of Alzheimer’s disease is not limited to medication. Neurological monitoring, cognitive assessment and rehabilitation, physical exercise, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and psychological support can, depending on each patient’s needs, help maintain functionality and quality of life.
An important part of this care is also the support provided to the caregiver, who is by the patient’s side every day and also needs information, guidance, and support.
The Neurology Clinic at Apolloneio Private Hospital
At the Neurology Clinic of Apolloneio Private Hospital, we keep abreast of the latest international developments in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and apply a personalized approach for each patient.
The evaluation begins with a detailed neurological and cognitive assessment and, where appropriate, may include neuroimaging, biomarkers, and specialized tests to confirm the pathology of the disease.
Our goal is not to perform all available tests on all patients, but to perform the right test on the right patient at the right time, leading to a meaningful clinical decision.
Where appropriate indications exist and the necessary criteria are met, we evaluate the possibility of administering modern disease-modifying therapies, with the required pre-treatment evaluation and organized monitoring of treatment safety.
This approach requires specialized medical knowledge, the proper selection of diagnostic tests, and structured monitoring.
Our goal is to provide a timely and as accurate as possible diagnosis and to deliver modern, evidence-based, and personalized care, harnessing the capabilities of modern neurology for the benefit of patients and their families.
Because behind every diagnosis there is a person, a family, and a unique story.
World Alzheimer’s Day
Awareness • Early Diagnosis • Modern Therapeutic Approach • Compassionate Care
*Neurologist
Neurology Clinic, Apolloneio Private Hospital
Contact Number: 22 469 281
SOURCE: From Early Diagnosis to Modern and Personalized Treatment
