Alzheimer's, a European alliance for treatments and diagnosis in Milan

Milan. An international alliance to address the challenge of Alzheimer's disease, dubbed the "pandemic of the new millennium." It was signed in Milan during the "Mind the Future" event, promoted by the Foundation for Social Sustainability, with the patronage of the Italian Society of Pharmacology (SIF) and the unconditional support of Lilly Italia, GE Healthcare, Biogen, Siemens, and Fujirebio.

Neurodegenerative disease, one of the main causes of dementia globally, currently affects 32 million people, a number that could triple by 2050 with dramatic effects on families, societies and health systems.

According to estimates, there are 55 million people in the world affected by dementia, of which approximately 600.000 in Italy Alzheimer, with overall costs reaching 37,6 billion euros.

The meeting, hosted at the Palazzo della Regione Lombardia and at the San Raffaele Hospital on 7 and 8 July, was attended by regional, national and international institutional representatives, scientific experts, patient associations and five foreign delegations (Bulgaria, Estonia, the Netherlands, Spain and Hungary), with the aim of building a multilateral political platform to prepare the introduction of new therapies in real-world settings.

The heart of the project is a manifesto, defined as “a milestone of cooperation and collective preparation”, which aims to break down the barriers that still exist in the care path: from early diagnosis to equal access to treatments. The goal is to build a fairer future for people affected by the disease, making Alzheimer's a public health priority.

"The main objective - declared Adele Patrini, president of the Foundation for Social Sustainability - is the construction of models that respond to needs through three fundamental pillars: multidisciplinarity, personalization and network. We must change the relationship between the individual, society and disease, sharing ideas and good practices to develop innovative models".

The conference highlighted the availability of therapies capable of modifying the course of the disease, already approved in several countries. However, access remains uneven in Europe, with delays that risk creating disparities in treatment. Accelerating regulatory processes would mean offering time, hope and new opportunities to millions of people, while strengthening the resilience and attractiveness of the healthcare system.

“I believe that working tables and moments of discussion like this are fundamental for the future of our country in the healthcare sector,” said Alessandro Fermi, regional councilor for University, Research and Innovation.

“Artificial intelligence offers promising opportunities in the field of research, diagnosis and management of the disease, analyzing large amounts of data to intercept early signs of Alzheimer's, predict its evolution and personalize therapies”. Another criticism concerns the impact on caregivers, who in over 50% of cases develop stress, anxiety or depression. Italy has adopted the National Dementia Plan, but 10 years after its approval, an update is needed in light of new diagnostic and therapeutic evidence.

“For sustainable support to patients - underlines Annarita Patriarca, promoter of the Parliamentary Intergroup for Neurosciences and Alzheimer's - we aim for an integrated model that strengthens territorial medicine and caregiver training. We are working for the approval of the new National Dementia Plan and for the implementation of more accessible and qualified home services. Our commitment is to build a more serene future, thanks to a synergy between institutions, professionals and families”.

At European level, the challenge of organizing health systems remains open. “The systems today are not yet prepared - declared Angela Bradshaw, director of research at Alzheimer Europe - neither in terms of resources nor structure, to integrate diagnostic tools based on artificial intelligence.

And to this is added the stigma surrounding dementia, which hinders the request for help and delays the diagnosis. To overcome these obstacles - he concluded - it is necessary to fight prejudices and promote a new culture of understanding, which favors the involvement of health systems and guarantees dignity and autonomy to sick people".

Professor Massimo Filippi, director of the Neurology Unit at the IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital and professor at the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, now has increasingly precise diagnostic tools and therapies potentially capable of modifying the natural history of the disease.

It is essential to ensure fair and timely access to diagnosis and treatment, strengthen care pathways and invest in training and awareness. We cannot afford to miss the opportunity to transform Alzheimer's care from assistance to therapeutic: it is a health, social and cultural challenge that concerns everyone".

From the discussion that emerged during “Mind the Future”, the need for a new governance is clear, capable of ensuring early and correct patient care, containing the social and economic costs of the disease and concretely addressing one of the most urgent challenges of our time. The message launched by the Manifesto is strong: to build together, at national and European level, a healthier and fairer future for people living with Alzheimer's.