In the United States, 12% of adults have taken a glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) antagonist. The drugs aren’t just popular for weight loss; 62% of adults taking semaglutide or other GLP-1 drugs take them for chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease — and dementia could be added to that list.

A new report offers hope for more than 57 million people suffering from dementia. The report, released by the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV, looks at dozens of promising drug trials that could one day help find a cure for the disease.

An annual review of clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease highlights a growing number of active trials—and drugs—in the development pipeline and offers optimism for the global effort to find a cure.

Of all the medical challenges that scientists have faced, Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia, has been one of the trickiest. Between 1995 and 2021 private money spent on Alzheimer’s research totalled $42.5bn, but more than 140 trials failed to deliver a single drug capable of slowing the disease. Yet the tide may be turning. There are two working drugs, offering modest benefits, on the market. A new review paper suggests more could soon follow.

There are more potential new medicines being tested for Alzheimer’s disease, according to an annual review published today. It reports that 138 drugs are currently being tested – an increase of nearly 9% from last year. This is great news, because the more drugs that scientists test, the greater the chance that new and effective medicines will soon become a reality for people living with dementia.

The human mind fascinated Dr. Jeffrey Cummings long before he became an international authority on Alzheimer’s disease.

A UNLV professor is being honored for his lifetime contributions in the areas of dementia and drug development. Dr. Jeff L. Cummings is a research professor at the Kirk Kerkorian School of Medicine at UNLV.

ScholarGPS said Dr. Jeffrey L. Cummings received the title for his lifetime contributions in the areas of dementia and drug development.