Early diagnosis could be the key to vastly improving treatment for Alzheimer’s disease and most of the studies being undertaken by Alzheimer’s Research Australia (ARA) reflect this target.
“One very strong message we would like to give the public is that it's not a disease that we can't do anything about,” ARA Director of Research Professor Ralph Martins, AO, said.
“That was the message that many people in the past were given when we didn't have any effective treatments. People would say, ‘There's no effective treatment, so why should we diagnose? What's the purpose of it?’
“That’s changing because the earlier you diagnose, the more effectively you can treat the disease.”
Every day, 250 Australians are diagnosed with dementia, two-thirds of which is Alzheimer’s disease, but with each discovery made by ARA, another aspect of the condition is revealed and finding a cure is one breakthrough closer.
There are about 90 people regularly working at ARA’s state-of-the-art facilities at any one time, from world-renowned researchers and early career researchers to university students and research interns.
A breakthrough moment: Donanemab approved in Australia
In a historic development, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved donanemab (marketed as Kisunla) for use in Australia – the first new Alzheimer’s drug approved in the country in over two decades.
Donanemab targets amyloid plaques in the brain, slowing cognitive decline by approximately 30 per cent in people diagnosed at an early stage.
“This is a turning point in how we treat Alzheimer’s,” Professor Martins said.
“We’re moving from symptom management to disease modification.”
However, only a portion of Australians living with dementia will be eligible for the treatment, which is currently not subsidised by Medicare or the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. With costs exceeding $80,000 per patient, affordability and accessibility remain significant challenges.
Despite these hurdles, the approval sends a strong signal about the direction of Alzheimer’s treatment toward earlier diagnosis, precision medicine and more hope for patients and families.
Economic and workforce implications
Alzheimer’s currently costs Australia more than $15 billion annually, with projections showing this could rise to over $26 billion by 2036.
The introduction of donanemab – if made widely accessible – could reduce long-term costs by slowing disease progression and delaying need for residential care and high-dependency support.
Beyond economics, the treatment has implications for workforce participation. Many caregivers, often family members, are forced to reduce work hours or leave employment altogether.
Effective treatments that help patients remain independent for longer could enable thousands of Australians to remain active in the workforce.
Donanemab's rollout could also increase demand for skilled medical staff, MRI imaging and monitoring infrastructure, driving job creation and investment in the health sector.
ARA’s cutting-edge research
One of ARA's current priorities is developing a blood test that can detect Alzheimer’s-related changes in the brain long before symptoms appear.
“I've been chasing this dream of getting a blood test for Alzheimer's for the last 30 years,” Professor Martins said.
“Only in the last three to five years has it become realistic.
“We have an accomplished researcher, Dr Prita Asih, who has been investigating new antibodies to help develop a blood test.
“She spent five months in Sweden, widely considered the mecca of blood testing, where she had access to extensive resources.”
While there, Dr Asih developed blood tests using a platform called SIMOA and now, back in Australia, ARA is building on her findings to advance the development of a viable blood test.
“She has identified a number of highly promising antibodies, which serve as a springboard to the next stage of this research,” Professor Martins said.
“Another promising avenue is the examination of the eye as a potential diagnostic window to the brain. Research led by Dr Eugene Hone is using advanced imaging to detect retinal changes linked to Alzheimer’s.
“That’s not as advanced as the blood test, but it’s still extremely exciting, and it gives us options to test in different ways and make comparisons.”
Power of prevention
While drug treatments like donanemab offer new hope, prevention remains a central focus for ARA.
Evidence shows that 50 per cent of Alzheimer’s cases could be prevented through better lifestyle choices.
This underpins national initiatives such as AU-ARROW, which is investigating the impact of diet, exercise, cognitive training, and sleep on disease onset.
“Even for those who are genetically prone to the disease, lifestyle still probably plays an important role,” Professor Martins said.
“Fifteen years ago, lifestyle as a preventative approach was dismissed. Now it’s recognised globally and we’re helping lead that shift right here in Australia.”
One of ARA’s Deputy Directors of Research, Associate Professor Stephanie Rainey-Smith, is spearheading research into sleep quality and its role in disease progression, alongside broader prevention trials focused on diet and brain training.
“This is why we’re doing these current studies: to show the real evidence for Australians that if you eat well, stay active, train your brain, and manage risk factors, you can reduce your risk or even prevent Alzheimer’s in at least half of all cases,” Professor Martins said.
Looking ahead
The urgency for early diagnosis has never been greater and ARA’s leadership in diagnostic research, coupled with its commitment to prevention, positions Australia as a global leader in the fight against Alzheimer’s.
With a blend of advanced treatment, early detection and lifestyle-based prevention, we may finally be unlocking the secrets of the brain and a future free from Alzheimer’s disease.
Alzheimer’s disease costs Australia billions each year, but innovation and early intervention can change that. Support the research, partner with us, or invest in the technologies shaping the future of brain health.
For more information on how your business can get involved, please email corporate@alzheimersresearch.org.au
