Dr. Claire Durrant by James Gallagher

The Procedure

It is not necessary to explain here the complex way the brain tissue is examined; suffice it to say that the investigative team exposes the brain slices to toxic proteins called amyloid and tau, which build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s disease. This allows them to witness synapse destruction and determine whether it can be prevented. Everything Dr Durrant is seeing so far convinces her that curing Alzheimer’s is not an impossible challenge!

She states, “The evidence we have at the moment is that it is a disease, and that we know from past experiences that disease can be cured. Maybe one day we’ll find evidence that Alzheimer’s disease is inherently part of being human, but at the moment I don’t see that,”

“I’ve not seen so much hope in Alzheimer’s disease research as I do right now. I’m really hopeful we’ll see meaningful change in my lifetime.”

It appears that glimmers of hope came from two drugs – called lecanemab and donanemab – that slow the pace of Alzheimer’s disease. While they were a scientific achievement, their real-world impact on patients has been labelled by some as too small to be noticeable. These were mentioned in the Engage Estero earlier report on available treatments for dementia.

But Prof Tara Spires-Jones, director of the Centre for Discovery Brain Science at the University of Edinburgh, thinks these two drugs have “really opened the door” for cracking Alzheimer’s.

The team is also investigating the role of star-shaped immune cells, called astrocytes, in Alzheimer’s. A new aspect has led to growing recognition that Alzheimer’s may need to be tackled from multiple directions. Lecanemab and donanemab both target the toxic sticky protein called amyloid. Clinical trials of drugs targeting the other protein tau are underway.

The importance of the immune system, inflammation, a person’s blood vessel health, and the interaction between genetics and the environment are advancing understanding of Alzheimer’s.

Prof Spires-Jones thinks there will be three key developments:

• In the short term, drugs that meaningfully slow or stop the progression of the disease
• Tools for preventing dementia entirely
• And, in the long term, a way of curing those who already have symptoms – although she acknowledges that will be much harder.

It is encouraging to note that Prof Spires-Jones believes, “We are five to 10 years away from a treatment that is ‘truly life-changing, ‘ and we will get to the point where we can ‘really make your life normal’ by catching the disease early enough and then halting it.”

But while there is optimism, it will still need research and clinical trials to prove that curing Alzheimer’s is possible. “The human brain is so phenomenally complex that we really just have to see it in people,” Prof Spires-Jones says.

Through our investigative process, Engage Estero will, from time to time, keep you updated on issues we believe are crucial to us.

Conclusions

As we have stated in our earlier articles on Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease, for many, aging itself can be a source of anxiety. The changes that come with growing older, including changes in memory and cognitive function, can be distressing.

In conclusion, while dementia remains one of the most challenging and heartbreaking conditions of our time, the emerging discoveries in brain science described in this article offer genuine reason for cautious hope. Advances in understanding neural networks, disease mechanisms, and the brain’s capacity for repair are reshaping what was once thought impossible and are moving the field steadily closer to treatments that may slow, halt, or one day even reverse the course of the disease.

For those diagnosed with dementia, and for the families and carers who walk beside them every day, the journey is often marked by grief, exhaustion, and profound love. As research continues to push boundaries, it carries with it the shared hope that future generations may face this disease with better options, greater dignity, and, ultimately, lasting relief. 

References

1. I’m watching brain surgery to see if Alzheimer’s can ever be cured, James Gallagher, Health and Science Correspondent for the BBC, December 2025. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4dnwky48wo.
2. Treating Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease, and Vascular Dementia: Understanding the Differences. Allan Bowditch, President, Engage Estero. Sept 2025. https://esterotoday.com/treating-dementia-alzheimers-disease-and-vascular-dementia-understanding-the-differences/

Disclaimer: Engage Estero provides this information as a service, and not as treatment or medical advice. Always consult with a physician before starting or changing medical treatment.