New treatments for Alzheimer’s disease – from antibodies to Artemis

Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia and often begins many years before clinical symptoms appear. Whereas previously only symptomatic treatment was possible, the clinical availability of antibodies targeting amyloid-beta is now ushering in a new era of treatment. Against this backdrop, the mechanisms of action and effects, the indications, and also the limitations of the new disease-modifying therapies were presented.
However, there are also new developments in the field of non-pharmacological interventions that harness the beneficial effects of art and music experiences for therapeutic purposes and to improve the quality of life of those affected. This was illustrated in the presentation using the example of ARTEMIS-digital, an internet-based programme that enables virtual and interactive museum tours for people with dementia and their carers.