September 21 marks World Alzheimer's Day, an annual observance dedicated to raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia. This year's theme emphasizes early prevention and treatment to protect cognitive health. The day serves as a global platform to educate the public about this neurodegenerative condition, which represents between 60% and 70% of all dementia cases worldwide.

Current statistics reveal the growing scale of the challenge, with more than 55 million people living with Alzheimer's globally. Without effective prevention and treatment strategies, this number could triple by 2050. Country-specific data shows significant impacts, including over 1.2 million cases in Brazil and approximately 500,000 people living with dementia in Argentina, most of whom have Alzheimer's disease.

Scientific advances are offering new hope despite the absence of a definitive cure. Researchers are developing innovative treatments such as monoclonal antibodies targeting amyloid proteins. Evidence continues to grow regarding how lifestyle interventions can protect brain health and delay cognitive decline. The US-POINTER trial, inspired by Finland's FINGER study, demonstrated that intensive lifestyle interventions can improve memory and cognitive functions in at-risk older adults.

Supporting families affected by cognitive disorders remains crucial, as evidenced by recent initiatives like the dementia family support toolkit released in Chengdu, China. Experts emphasize that Alzheimer's involves a combination of factors rather than a single cause, with age being a primary risk factor—most cases occur in patients over 65. Genetic factors like APOE ε4 and rare variants can also influence disease development, sometimes causing earlier onset.