SERIES 6: THE INNOVATION–IMPACT GAP
Series 6: The INNOVATION–IMPACT GAP AUTHOR: KJ Lavan WHAT Happens When Science Advances Faster Than the SYSTEM? For decades, Alzheimer’s disease was described as a scientific problem: We needed better biomarkers. Earlier diagnosis. Disease-modifying therapies. More precise risk prediction. Now those advances are arriving. Lecanemab and donanemab have established that Alzheimer’s pathology can be therapeutically targeted in people with early disease although treatment benefits are measured in slowing progression, not curing or reversing dementia. Treatment also requires careful patient selection, intravenous administration, specialist oversight, and monitoring for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities. https://lnkd.in/gKZZ57eD In May 2025, the FDA cleared the first blood test to assist in diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. The Lumipulse test measures the plasma ratio of p-tau217 to amyloid-beta 1-42 in symptomatic adults aged 55 and older—potentially reducing reliance on PET ima...