structural:expansion
Research directions

Antibodies may have the ability to alter the disease course by targeting amyloid beta with immunotherapy medications such as donanemab, aducanumab, and lecanemab. Aducanumab was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2021, using the accelerated approval process, although the approval generated controversy and more evidence is needed to address administration, safety, and effectiveness. It has less effectiveness in people who already had severe Alzheimer's symptoms. In early 2024, Biogen announced it would discontinue aducanumab.

Lecanemab, which clears plaques and reduces amyloid proteins, was approved via the FDA accelerated approval process, and was converted to traditional approval in July 2023, after further testing, along with the addition of a boxed warning about amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. As of early August 2024, lecanemab was approved for sale in Japan, South Korea, China, Hong Kong and Israel although it was recommended against approval by an advisory body of the European Union on July 26, citing its side effects.

Donanemab, which clears plaques, was approved by the FDA in July 2024. Anti-amyloid drugs also cause brain shrinkage. The cholinesterase inhibitor benzgalantamine was approved by the FDA in July 2024.

Specific medications that may reduce the risk or progression of Alzheimer's disease have been studied. The research trials investigating medications generally impact Aβ plaques, inflammation, APOE, neurotransmitter receptors, neurogenesis, growth factors or hormones.

Machine learning algorithms with electronic health records are being studied as a way to predict Alzheimer's disease earlier.