Opinion: An opportunity for leadership — the changing landscape of dementia treatment 

As a family physician of more than 30 years, my patients and I are aging. Every day I get asked: “Am I getting dementia or just getting old?”

Up until now, the most likely response was “let’s wait and see.” Early diagnosis is challenging. We have had no therapies to effectively change the course of Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia.

The exciting — but challenging — news is that this may be changing.

For the first time in decades, there are therapies available that delay the progression of dementia. The emergence of disease-modifying treatments offers the potential to change the course of Alzheimer’s. These therapies are designed to slow disease progression, preserving brain function and independence for longer — especially when started when symptoms are still mild.

They’re