They found that the connectivity patterns present in Alzheimer’s disease are similar to those seen in people displaying similar behavioural changes after brain injuries, suggesting a common underlying cause. Building on this work, the team will now create a personalized, preventive approach for people at risk for, or in the early stages of, Alzheimer’s disease. They will use digital tests, simple smell tests, and questionnaires about health and lifestyle to build an individual risk profile for each person. A dedicated algorithm will then combine this information to provide tailored risk minimization strategies, helping patients and clinicians take early, targeted steps to prevent or slow disease progression—even in communities with limited access to specialized care.
An International Collaboration to Advance Research in Alzheimer’s Disease
A recent discovery in the laboratory of Dr. Michael Schlossmacher, in collaboration with Dr. Shahar Arzy from Hebrew University, has shown that a key brain change in Alzheimer’s disease, tau deposition, is linked to mood and behavior changes.