On 2 June 2022, Project Alzheimer’s Value Europe (PAVE) published new findings in the peer-reviewed journal, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, on the prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The study findings are significant and could help prepare healthcare systems going forward, particularly with innovative therapies under development. The study group, made up of a steering committee of European clinical experts, supported by health research experts and a representative of Alzheimer Europe, conducted a review of published evidence focusing on large meta-analyses with multiple cohorts and including data on both clinical diagnosis and biomarkers.
The research includes a literature search of published epidemiological evidence across the AD continuum, including people at risk of developing AD, and those with Prodromal AD and Alzheimer's dementia. Some of the group's main findings are:
• 22% of the global population aged 50 and over (and women more so than men) could benefit from future prevention strategies, including interventions and treatments with the potential to stop or slow the progression of AD.
• There is a potential window of opportunity for proactive and preventive measures, including efforts to encourage brain health activities.
• Proactive and preventive measures present the best opportunity for extending cognitive function and the ability to live independently without significant care support.
• It is vital to accurately define AD and its different stages, as well as quantifying and stratifying the affected populations, with a specific focus on who could benefit from future new treatments.
Jean Georges, Executive Director at Alzheimer Europe, was one of the authors of this study. He commented: “Research to understand and further define the stages of Alzheimer’s disease will help identify populations and individuals at risk of developing dementia and most likely to benefit from brain health promotion programmes and interventions. It is our hope that policy makers and healthcare systems can use this research to inform new policies and programmes for the fight against Alzheimer’s disease.” Project Alzheimer’s Value Europe (PAVE) is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder forum committed to Alzheimer's disease research, value assessment and funding, with particular focus on emerging therapies and diagnostics.
PAVE was established to increase collaboration and understanding between key stakeholders in the Alzheimer’s disease ecosystem within Europe, including regulators, bodies responsible for health technology assessment, payers, clinicians, patient advocates, and industry members. PAVE's membership defines the projects and research of PAVE, aimed at developing solutions to the challenges related to value assessment of and funding for emerging Alzheimer’s disease therapies and diagnostics in Europe. The effort is funded by Hoffmann-La Roche (Roche), Biogen and Eli Lilly. This study was funded by Roche and Biogen. Read the full study findings, here: https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.12694
