Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and one of the most serious challenges facing older adults in America today.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association, More than 7.2 million seniors aged 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s in 2025 – about 1 in 9 people in that age group. This number is rising fast, and so are the costs for families, caregivers, and the healthcare system.
The National Institute of Health research funding bill for Alzheimer’s and dementia is scheduled to be approximately $3.9 billion for 2026.
While numerous research and care options exist, there is still no definitive cure in the medical community.
However, research scientists, along with neurologists and nutrition experts, are working diligently every day, and new studies offer hope that we can slow and eventually eliminate the progression of Alzheimer’s, especially by starting early.
There are many new research projects underway trying to better understand Alzheimer’s and find ways to prevent or even reverse it.
One of these projects is a recent 2025 study from Harvard Medical School that looks especially promising. We share it not as something that’s ready to be used in homes yet, but as a glimpse of what may be ahead.
We also have some information for you and your senior loved ones on what you can do today to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer’s.
What Many Medical Experts Agree On Today
Today, medical experts and researchers agree upon the following notions about Alzheimer’s:
- There is no confirmed cure, as of now, according to the medical community. Treatments can help with symptoms, and some therapies may slow progression, but Alzheimer’s remains incurable.
- Prevention and early action matter. Many researchers believe that things you do, like your diet, exercise, social life, and health management, can have a huge impact. Even for seniors, adopting healthy habits can help slow memory loss and support brain health.
- Alzheimer’s risk is influenced by many factors: genetics, lifestyle, environment, and overall health. Some of these you cannot change, but many you can.
Current Harvard Study Findings
The following is a review of what the Harvard researchers on this project discovered, in simple terms (for those who want to review the actual facts and figures, here are the findings):
- They noticed that people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s (and mild cognitive impairment) had lower levels of lithium in their brains compared to those without Alzheimer’s. Lithium is a naturally occurring element that is already used in certain medical treatments under supervision.
- In mice, when lithium levels were lowered (i.e., a lithium‐deficient diet), Alzheimer’s-like changes showed up sooner and more severely. This involved more “amyloid plaques” (one of the typical signs of Alzheimer’s), more of the abnormal tau protein, inflammation in the brain, loss of connections between brain cells, and memory problems.
- Then, importantly, when the mice were given a special form of lithium (one that does not easily get stuck in plaques), many of those Alzheimer’s-related changes were reduced — namely, plaques decreased and memory and behaviors improved. Older mice with more severe changes also received some benefit.
The study suggests that having sufficient lithium in the brain may help protect against Alzheimer’s, and that in some cases, initiating lithium replacement after symptoms appear may still be beneficial.
Also at Harvard: Dr. David Sinclair’s Research on Aging and Alzheimer’s
In addition to the recent Harvard research on lithium, another Harvard scientist, Dr. David Sinclair, has been studying for decades how to slow the aging process at the cellular level and also what effect it might have on Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr. Sinclair is a professor of genetics at Harvard Medical School and one of the world’s leading researchers in the biology of aging. His work focuses on how cells lose their ability to repair themselves as we get older — and how restoring that function could prevent age-related diseases, including Alzheimer’s.
He has published several books, articles, and research papers, but is well known by the public for his book Lifespan – Why We Age and Why We Don’t Have To.
Key Aspects of Sinclair’s Work on Alzheimer’s
The following points are key findings in Dr. Sinclair’s research:
- NAD⁺ Boosters: Dr. Sinclair has highlighted research on compounds that increase levels of NAD⁺, a molecule critical for energy and cell repair. In animal studies, NAD⁺ precursors such as NMN (nicotinamide mononucleotide) and NR (nicotinamide riboside) improved memory, reduced brain inflammation, and slowed Alzheimer’s-like changes.
- Mitochondrial Health: Mitochondria are the “power plants” inside our cells. Sinclair’s research emphasizes that improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress may help protect the brain. Since mitochondrial decline is linked to Alzheimer’s, boosting their performance could slow progression.
- Cellular Rejuvenation: A hallmark of Sinclair’s work is “partial cellular reprogramming” — essentially trying to reset older cells back to a more youthful state by restoring lost epigenetic information. This theory suggests that it may be possible to slow, or even reverse, certain aspects of brain aging in the future.
- Diet and Lifestyle Strategies: Sinclair himself follows and recommends habits that support healthy aging, such as limiting sugar and refined carbs, exercising regularly, and using supplements like NMN, resveratrol, and metformin. While not specifically approved for Alzheimer’s prevention, these strategies may support overall brain and body health.
Current Status of Sinclair’s Alzheimer’s-Related Research
Currently, Dr. Sinclair’s Alzheimer’s research involves the following:
- Animal Studies: Most of the findings so far, including NMN’s effects on memory and inflammation, come from studies in mice.
- Human Trials: Early studies of NMN and related compounds are underway for aging and metabolic health, but large-scale clinical trials in humans for Alzheimer’s specifically are still needed.
- Ongoing Research: Dr. Sinclair’s lab continues to investigate how cellular aging can be slowed or reversed, with the goal of applying these insights to Alzheimer’s and other age-related diseases.
Why This Research Matters for Seniors and Families
The latest research on Alzheimer’s matters for seniors and families because:
- It offers hope by showcasing work that not only investigates how Alzheimer’s starts, but also how some changes might be reversed under certain conditions.
- It underscores something many experts have been saying: prevention is powerful. Even though this research is early (in animals, not yet humans), it gives clues about what future treatments might look like.
- It shows how brain health is linked with what we eat, what minerals our bodies get, how we live, and our overall health.
What You Can Do Starting Today
While scientists continue this work, there are concrete things you and your family can do today to support brain health:
- Stay active. Get regular physical exercise, walking, stretching, balance, and strength training. It helps maintain brain connections.
- Eat well. Have a balanced diet, rich in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, lean protein, and healthy fats. Consider Mediterranean-style eating.
- Get all the needed minerals and nutrients. This includes ensuring enough intake of essential minerals (like lithium in trace amounts, magnesium, zinc, etc.), vitamins, and hydration. It’s not about supplements unless recommended, but more about a nutrient-rich diet and checking with a doctor or nutritionist.
- Stay mentally and socially engaged by reading, puzzles, learning new things, socializing with friends or family, and staying connected.
- Manage your overall health and keep blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart health in check. Sleep, stress, and hearing also matter.
These are things many studies agree on. They do not guarantee you will not develop Alzheimer’s, but they can reduce your risk, slow decline, and improve quality of life.
Alzheimer’s Conclusions: Stay Informed and Be Proactive
Alzheimer’s is serious, and it’s already a significant part of life for many families. However, new research, including the Harvard study and Dr. Sinclair’s research, indicates that progress is being made in understanding what triggers Alzheimer’s, as well as what might slow it down or even reverse some of its changes.
At Senior Consulting Advisors, we take Alzheimer’s and dementia seriously. That is why every SCA team member is a Certified Dementia Practitioner.
Dealing with dementia and Alzheimer’s can be overwhelming. Let us help. We know the best assisted living and memory care facilities in your area and can help you navigate your best plan for dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia.
Call us at (800) 969-7176 or visit SeniorConsultingAdvisor.com to discuss your options for senior living and memory care today. We are here to help at no cost to you.
