Dementia Research: A Comprehensive Overview
Research Article
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Dementia Research: A Comprehensive Overview

Ruoqing Xu 1*
1 The Institute of Education Ireland
*Corresponding author: 18518888000@163.com
Published on 20 July 2025
Volume Cover
TNS Vol.123
ISSN (Print): 2753-8826
ISSN (Online): 2753-8818
ISBN (Print): 978-1-80590-187-7
ISBN (Online): 978-1-80590-188-4
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Abstract

Dementia is a general term describing irreversible diseases that affect people’s memory and capabilities. In recent years, its global prevalence has been rising gradually. Several studies have focused on different areas of dementia. This article reviews current knowledge of dementia from ten aspects, including types, etiology, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, ethical policies, and the latest news on dementia. Most studies agree that the most common type of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease, which accounts for 60% to 80% of cases; the average life expectancy after diagnosis is 5 to 10 years. Recent National Health Service (NHS) policy and the General Medical Council (GMC) have listed caregiving suggestions for doctors and carers of dementia patients. The NHS explained the reasons it denied drugs intended to treat dementia. Our review summarises basic information about dementia, analyses the policies and treatment resources that need to be addressed or improved, and indicates the next steps to control this global problem.

Keywords:

Dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, Treatment and care policy

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Xu,R. (2025). Dementia Research: A Comprehensive Overview. Theoretical and Natural Science,123,27-32.

References

[1]. WHO. Dementia. 2025. https: //www. who. int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

[2]. NICE. Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. 2018. https: //www. nice. org. uk/guidance/ng97

[3]. Sharma K. Cholinesterase inhibitors as Alzheimer's therapeutics (Review). Mol Med Rep. 2019 Aug; 20(2): 1479-1487. doi: 10. 3892/mmr. 2019. 10374. Epub 2019 Jun 11. PMID: 31257471; PMCID: PMC6625431.

[4]. Juebin Huang, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, MD, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewa. MSD Mannual Professional Version. Dementia. 2025. https: //www. msdmanuals. com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/dementia

[5]. CDC. About Dementia. 2024. https: //www. cdc. gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/index. html

[6]. NIH. National Institute of Aging. 2025. Infographic: Understanding Different Types of Dementia. https: //www. nia. nih. gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/understanding-different-types-dementia

[7]. Alzheimer’s Association. Types of Dementia. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia

[8]. Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, Costafreda SG, Selbæk G, Alladi S, Ames D, Banerjee S, Burns A, Brayne C, Fox NC, Ferri CP, Gitlin LN, Howard R, Kales HC, Kivimäki M, Larson EB, Nakasujja N, Rockwood K, Samus Q, Shirai K, Singh-Manoux A, Schneider LS, Walsh S, Yao Y, Sommerlad A, Mukadam N. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024 Aug 10; 404(10452): 572-628. doi: 10. 1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0. Epub 2024 Jul 31. PMID: 39096926.

[9]. Hedges DW, Chase M, Farrer TJ, Gale SD. Psychiatric Disease as a Potential Risk Factor for Dementia: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci. 2024 Jul 18; 14(7): 722. doi: 10. 3390/brainsci14070722. PMID: 39061462; PMCID: PMC11274614.

[10]. Alzheimer’s Association. Stages of Alzheimer’s. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/stages

[11]. Alzheimer’s Association. New Clinical Practice Guideline on the Process for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Form of Cognitive Impairment or Dementia. 2024. https: //www. alz. org/news/2024/clinical-practice-guideline-evaluation-alzheimers

[12]. HSE Ireland. Cognitive Assessment Tools: Assessment of Dementia. https: //www. hse. ie/eng/dementia-pathways/care-pathways/assessment-diagnosis-in-primary-care/cognitive-assessment-tools/

[13]. Alzheimer’s Association. Medications for Memory, Cognition and Dementia-Related Behaviors. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/medications-for-memory

[14]. Kraus CA, Seignourel P, Balasubramanyam V, Snow AL, Wilson NL, Kunik ME, Schulz PE, Stanley MA. Cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in patients with dementia: two case studies. J Psychiatr Pract. 2008 May; 14(3): 186-92. doi: 10. 1097/01. pra. 0000320120. 68928. e5. PMID: 18520790; PMCID: PMC2567867.

[15]. Eleanor Hayward. The Times. Ozempic weight-loss drug ‘cuts dementia risk by a third’. 2025. https: //www. thetimes. com/uk/healthcare/article/ozempic-weight-loss-medication-dementia-20lmds8pm

[16]. Alzheimer’s Society. The later stage of dementia. 2025. https: //www. alzheimers. org. uk/about-dementia/stages-and-symptoms/later-stages-dementia#: ~: text=By%20the%20later%20stage%20of, as%20eating%2C%20washing%20and%20dressing.

[17]. GMC. The seven principles of decision making and consent. 2025. https: //www. gmc-uk. org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/decision-making-and-consent/the-seven-principles-of-decision-making-and-consent

[18]. GMC. Part 1: raising a concern. 2025. https: //www. gmc-uk. org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/raising-and-acting-on-concerns/part-1-raising-a-concern

[19]. NHS. North West Coast Clinical Networks. Palliative Care Guidelines in Dementia 3rdEdition. 2024. https: //www. england. nhs. uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2024/11/Palliative-Care-Guidelines-in-Dementia-3rd-ed-Nov-2024-PDF-VERSION-1. pdf

[20]. NICE. Final draft guidance finds benefits of 2 Alzheimer’s treatments remain too small to justify the additional cost to the NHS. 2025. https: //www. nice. org. uk/news/articles/the-benefits-of-alzheimers-treatments-donanemab-and-lecanemab-remain-too-small-to-justify-the-additional-costs-says-nice-in-final-draft-guidance

[21]. Eleanor Hayward. The Times. NHS patients denied first drugs that treat Alzheimer’s. 2025. https: //www. thetimes. com/uk/healthcare/article/nhs-rejects-alzheimers-drugs-cost-reasons-gl82q0tcp

[22]. MedCentral. Treatment Guide for Donanemab-azbt (Kisunla) for Alzheimer’s Disease. 2025. https: //www. medcentral. com/drugs/guide/donanemab-azbt

[23]. The Society of Radiographers. NHS waiting times fall ‘staggeringly’ short of targets. 2024. https: //www. sor. org/news/imaging/nhs-england-waiting-times-fall-‘staggeringly’-shor

[24]. Biogen. Lecanemab Confirmatory Phase 3 Clarity Ad Study Met Primary Endpoint, Showing Highly Statistically Significant Reduction of Clinical Decline in Large Global Clinical Study of 1795 Participants with Early Alszheimer’s Disease. 2022. https: //investors. biogen. com/news-releases/news-release-details/lecanemab-confirmatory-phase-3-clarity-ad-study-met-primary

References

[1]. WHO. Dementia. 2025. https: //www. who. int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

[2]. NICE. Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. 2018. https: //www. nice. org. uk/guidance/ng97

[3]. Sharma K. Cholinesterase inhibitors as Alzheimer's therapeutics (Review). Mol Med Rep. 2019 Aug; 20(2): 1479-1487. doi: 10. 3892/mmr. 2019. 10374. Epub 2019 Jun 11. PMID: 31257471; PMCID: PMC6625431.

[4]. Juebin Huang, MD, PhD, Department of Neurology, University of Mississippi Medical Center, MD, College of Medicine, University of Saskatchewa. MSD Mannual Professional Version. Dementia. 2025. https: //www. msdmanuals. com/professional/neurologic-disorders/delirium-and-dementia/dementia

[5]. CDC. About Dementia. 2024. https: //www. cdc. gov/alzheimers-dementia/about/index. html

[6]. NIH. National Institute of Aging. 2025. Infographic: Understanding Different Types of Dementia. https: //www. nia. nih. gov/health/alzheimers-and-dementia/understanding-different-types-dementia

[7]. Alzheimer’s Association. Types of Dementia. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-dementia/types-of-dementia

[8]. Livingston G, Huntley J, Liu KY, Costafreda SG, Selbæk G, Alladi S, Ames D, Banerjee S, Burns A, Brayne C, Fox NC, Ferri CP, Gitlin LN, Howard R, Kales HC, Kivimäki M, Larson EB, Nakasujja N, Rockwood K, Samus Q, Shirai K, Singh-Manoux A, Schneider LS, Walsh S, Yao Y, Sommerlad A, Mukadam N. Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2024 report of the Lancet standing Commission. Lancet. 2024 Aug 10; 404(10452): 572-628. doi: 10. 1016/S0140-6736(24)01296-0. Epub 2024 Jul 31. PMID: 39096926.

[9]. Hedges DW, Chase M, Farrer TJ, Gale SD. Psychiatric Disease as a Potential Risk Factor for Dementia: A Narrative Review. Brain Sci. 2024 Jul 18; 14(7): 722. doi: 10. 3390/brainsci14070722. PMID: 39061462; PMCID: PMC11274614.

[10]. Alzheimer’s Association. Stages of Alzheimer’s. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/stages

[11]. Alzheimer’s Association. New Clinical Practice Guideline on the Process for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Form of Cognitive Impairment or Dementia. 2024. https: //www. alz. org/news/2024/clinical-practice-guideline-evaluation-alzheimers

[12]. HSE Ireland. Cognitive Assessment Tools: Assessment of Dementia. https: //www. hse. ie/eng/dementia-pathways/care-pathways/assessment-diagnosis-in-primary-care/cognitive-assessment-tools/

[13]. Alzheimer’s Association. Medications for Memory, Cognition and Dementia-Related Behaviors. 2025. https: //www. alz. org/alzheimers-dementia/treatments/medications-for-memory

[14]. Kraus CA, Seignourel P, Balasubramanyam V, Snow AL, Wilson NL, Kunik ME, Schulz PE, Stanley MA. Cognitive-behavioral treatment for anxiety in patients with dementia: two case studies. J Psychiatr Pract. 2008 May; 14(3): 186-92. doi: 10. 1097/01. pra. 0000320120. 68928. e5. PMID: 18520790; PMCID: PMC2567867.

[15]. Eleanor Hayward. The Times. Ozempic weight-loss drug ‘cuts dementia risk by a third’. 2025. https: //www. thetimes. com/uk/healthcare/article/ozempic-weight-loss-medication-dementia-20lmds8pm

[16]. Alzheimer’s Society. The later stage of dementia. 2025. https: //www. alzheimers. org. uk/about-dementia/stages-and-symptoms/later-stages-dementia#: ~: text=By%20the%20later%20stage%20of, as%20eating%2C%20washing%20and%20dressing.

[17]. GMC. The seven principles of decision making and consent. 2025. https: //www. gmc-uk. org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/decision-making-and-consent/the-seven-principles-of-decision-making-and-consent

[18]. GMC. Part 1: raising a concern. 2025. https: //www. gmc-uk. org/professional-standards/the-professional-standards/raising-and-acting-on-concerns/part-1-raising-a-concern

[19]. NHS. North West Coast Clinical Networks. Palliative Care Guidelines in Dementia 3rdEdition. 2024. https: //www. england. nhs. uk/north-west/wp-content/uploads/sites/48/2024/11/Palliative-Care-Guidelines-in-Dementia-3rd-ed-Nov-2024-PDF-VERSION-1. pdf

[20]. NICE. Final draft guidance finds benefits of 2 Alzheimer’s treatments remain too small to justify the additional cost to the NHS. 2025. https: //www. nice. org. uk/news/articles/the-benefits-of-alzheimers-treatments-donanemab-and-lecanemab-remain-too-small-to-justify-the-additional-costs-says-nice-in-final-draft-guidance

[21]. Eleanor Hayward. The Times. NHS patients denied first drugs that treat Alzheimer’s. 2025. https: //www. thetimes. com/uk/healthcare/article/nhs-rejects-alzheimers-drugs-cost-reasons-gl82q0tcp

[22]. MedCentral. Treatment Guide for Donanemab-azbt (Kisunla) for Alzheimer’s Disease. 2025. https: //www. medcentral. com/drugs/guide/donanemab-azbt

[23]. The Society of Radiographers. NHS waiting times fall ‘staggeringly’ short of targets. 2024. https: //www. sor. org/news/imaging/nhs-england-waiting-times-fall-‘staggeringly’-shor

[24]. Biogen. Lecanemab Confirmatory Phase 3 Clarity Ad Study Met Primary Endpoint, Showing Highly Statistically Significant Reduction of Clinical Decline in Large Global Clinical Study of 1795 Participants with Early Alszheimer’s Disease. 2022. https: //investors. biogen. com/news-releases/news-release-details/lecanemab-confirmatory-phase-3-clarity-ad-study-met-primary

Cite this article

Xu,R. (2025). Dementia Research: A Comprehensive Overview. Theoretical and Natural Science,123,27-32.

Data availability

The datasets used and/or analyzed during the current study will be available from the authors upon reasonable request.

About volume

Volume title: Proceedings of the 5th International Conference on Biological Engineering and Medical Science

ISBN: 978-1-80590-187-7(Print) / 978-1-80590-188-4(Online)
Editor: Alan Wang
Conference website: https://2025.icbiomed.org/
Conference date: 24 October 2025
Series: Theoretical and Natural Science
Volume number: Vol.123
ISSN: 2753-8818(Print) / 2753-8826(Online)

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