Alzheimer’s Disease: A Systematic Review of Novel Therapies and Vaccines

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and the fifth leading cause of death in the United States as of 2021. Current FDA-approved therapies, including cholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine) and memantine, provide symptomatic relief but do not modify disease progression. The anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies, lecanemab and donanemab, modestly slow cognitive and functional decline in early-stage AD. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms underlying AD and research efforts aimed at understanding and treating the disease. Additionally, this paper explores ongoing clinical trials investigating novel treatments such as immunotherapies and small-molecular inhibitors targeting AD biomarkers. Regenerative medicine approaches, including gene and stem cell therapies, show promise in these trials. By understanding current research and future potential for these trials, this review aims to explore strategies for managing and potentially curing AD.