This chapter considers the current state of efforts to develop prevention and
treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). It takes the form of answers to 12
posed questions on this topic. The urgent need for improved interventions to prevent
symptomatic AD is highlighted while the outcome of treatment trials for those who
already have developed symptoms is also reviewed. Efforts at primary and secondary
prevention are distinguished and the link with cardiovascular disease, diet and other
lifestyle-related risks discussed. The need for better understanding of the pathogenesis
of sporadic AD is considered crucial since any improved interventions are likely to
depend on this. The important role of neuroimaging in extending understanding of the
trajectory of pre-clinical AD development is considered as is the importance of
developing improved and readily applicable biomarkers for the disease. Approaches to
develop further randomised controlled clinical trials for AD and the formidable costs
that these entail are discussed together with the contribution of epidemiological studies
as an adjunct to trials. Ultimately there needs to be improved education about the risks
of AD so that individuals throughout their lives can be encouraged to take better
personal responsibility for living well into old age.
