Groundbreaking NYU Langone Health Study Published in Nature Medicine


Groundbreaking NYU Langone Health Study Published in Nature Medicine

A recent study from NYU Langone Health, published in Nature Medicine, reveals that the risk of developing dementia after the age of 55 is significantly higher than previously suggested by earlier research. These new findings reinforce that US dementia cases will double—reaching 1 million—by 2060 adding long-standing messages from the Alzheimer’s Association about the increasing risk and prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. While different studies may yield varying results based on methodology or population, all, including the Alzheimer’s Association’s Facts and Figures report, point to an escalating risk and prevalence of dementia in the coming years and decades.

The Alzheimer’s Association emphasizes the urgent need to address the global Alzheimer’s crisis, which is expected to impact an increasing number of individuals both in the U.S. and worldwide. This challenge is particularly pressing for high-risk groups—such as Black Americans, Hispanic Americans, and women—who have historically been underrepresented in research. The latest study further affirms the heightened urgency and risk these groups face.

A New Era of Hope for Alzheimer’s Treatment and Diagnosis

On a positive note, we are witnessing a transformative period in Alzheimer’s disease treatment. Approved therapies now exist that can slow the progression of early-stage Alzheimer’s, and additional treatments are in development. Furthermore, advancements in detection and diagnosis are offering new opportunities for earlier intervention, while ongoing research continues to enhance our understanding of risk reduction for Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

The Alzheimer’s Association offers the following 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain to help individuals maintain cognitive health as they age:

•    Engage in regular physical activity.

•    Continuously learn new things and keep the brain engaged.

•    Prioritize a nutritious diet, emphasizing vegetables, lean meats, and foods low in fat.

•    Protect against head injury.

•    Maintain heart health by controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, and avoiding smoking.

Despite broad recommendations for maintaining brain health, many individuals seek more specific guidance on reducing their risk of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline. In response, the Alzheimer’s Association is leading the U.S. POINTER Study—a two-year clinical trial aimed at evaluating whether lifestyle interventions targeting multiple risk factors can protect cognitive function in older adults at increased risk of cognitive decline. The U.S. POINTER Study is the first of its kind to involve a large, diverse sample of Americans, and results are expected to be presented at the 2025 Alzheimer’s Association International Conference in Toronto.

The Need for Continued Research

As the population ages, the number of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias is expected to rise dramatically in the coming years. To confront this looming crisis, sustained investment in research is essential. The Alzheimer’s Association is leading efforts to better understand the causes of the disease, improve early detection and diagnosis (including blood tests), develop more effective treatments—including combination therapies—and identify proven strategies for risk reduction and eventual prevention.

We are in a new era of Alzheimer’s treatment, but many questions remain. The only way to answer these questions is through continued research, and the Alzheimer’s Association is committed to driving these efforts forward.

Contact: Lionell Martin, Public Relations Manager, Alzheimer’s Association, lrmartin@alz.org, 773.593.4211.

About the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) that is available 365 days a year. Specialists and master’s-level clinicians provide confidential support and information to individuals living with dementia, caregivers, families, and the public.


About the Alzheimer’s Association Illinois Chapter

The Alzheimer’s Association offers a 24/7 Helpline (800-272-3900) that is available 365 days a year. Specialists and master’s-level clinicians provide confidential support and information to individuals living with dementia, caregivers, families, and the public.


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