Researchers no longer see Alzheimer's disease as an unavoidable part of ageing. The illness can start changing the brain up to two decades before severe dementia appears. That long window is driving the search for earlier diagnosis and treatments that can change the disease itself.
Mercè Boada, a neurologist and co-founder of Ace Alzheimer Center Barcelona, says research has reached one of its strongest points. Scientists are testing treatments that target abnormal beta-amyloid and tau proteins. They are also studying ways to control neuroinflammation, along with albumin plasma exchange to remove toxic substances from the bloodstream.
This does not mean every treatment is available to patients in Spain. But it marks a shift away from treating symptoms alone: researchers are now targeting the biological mechanisms behind the disease. An IQVIA industry review describes anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies as the first disease-modifying therapies for Alzheimer's. Lecanemab and donanemab can slow cognitive decline, though they are not cures.
On 1 May 2026, Health Canada approved donanemab for people with mild cognitive impairment or early Alzheimer’s disease, making it the country’s second disease-modifying Alzheimer’s treatment.
The gender gap adds urgency.
Women account for around 70% of people affected by Alzheimer's and face almost twice the prevalence recorded among men. Longer female life expectancy explains part of the gap, since age is the basic risk factor for dementia.
Boada also points to biological and hormonal factors. Oestrogens help protect brain tissue and support blood flow, while also regulating neuronal plasticity. The loss of oestrogen during menopause removes part of those repair mechanisms. Proteomic studies have found sex-related differences in cerebrospinal fluid and plasma linked to greater vulnerability to neurodegeneration.
The exact share of women varies by country and source. Reports put it at 63% of diagnosed cases in Peru during January-August 2025 and 72.2% among affected people in the Canary Islands.
The burden extends beyond diagnosis. A 2026 Sanitas survey in Spain found that 47.7% of respondents had at some point cared for a person with Alzheimer’s or another form of dementia. The figure shows how widely the disease's consequences reach beyond patients, affecting families and communities.
Alzheimer's changes the daily life of entire families. Almost 80% of primary carers come from the family, with wives and daughters making up most of that group. Two out of every three carers are women. Many cut their working hours or leave employment, while others give up studies and social activities.
The health toll can include overload, anxiety and depressive symptoms, as well as sustained stress. Boada says psychological support and practical training should be treated as a healthcare and social priority, alongside Carer Classrooms.
Recent data reinforce that concern. In Australia, more than eight in ten surveyed dementia carers described themselves as primary carers, while about half spent at least 40 hours a week on care. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare data also indicate that more than 70% of female unpaid carers feel overwhelmed. An Italian ANSA report found that more than half of carers spent over 12 hours a day providing care, while only 20.1% had sought professional support.
Early recognition remains the most immediate step families can take. Mild Cognitive Impairment affects 30% of people over 65 in Spain and can progress to dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Warning signs include trouble remembering dates or familiar names, losing the thread of conversations and noticeable changes in behaviour.
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