2025 Proves to be Watershed Year for Research and Treatment Advances in Cognitive Decline, Dementia and Alzheimer’s
Jeff Morris
An estimated 42% of Americans over 55 are projected to develop some form of dementia, according to the National Institutes of Health. But 2025 has proven to be a year of dramatic advances in research, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s. Here we present some of the recent developments, and preview in-depth discussions at the upcoming Age Management Medicine Conference.
On Thursday, November 13, the 39th Clinical Applications for Age Management Medicine Conference will present a full-day workshop, Early Cognitive Decline: Prevention, Early Detection and Treatment. Speakers will include David Ward, D.C., MS, of Entavida Functional Health, Denver, CO, who will give three presentations, as well as participate in a Q&A session with all the workshop faculty. “I would say that the most important recent developments in the area of cognitive decline,” said Dr. Ward, “are that research has demonstrated that a program of multimodal lifestyle interventions improves cognition in older adults at risk of cognitive decline, and may improve cognitive function in some individuals with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease.”
Dr. Ward said he will be speaking about studies supporting those developments. His presentations will include “Diagnosis of Cognitive Decline: Testing – Pencil and Paper Tests, Serology Testing, Genetic Markers, Computer-Based Testing, Spousal Data, and Analysis of the Patient in Question.” He says that while Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, it’s not the only cause of cognitive decline, and a clinical workup for cognitive decline involves a multi-faceted approach to determine both the severity of impairment and the likely cause or causes. Dr. Ward will also present “Prevention of Cognitive Decline (Pre-Code): Supplements, Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle Modifications.” He notes that at least 40% of all dementia has been linked to modifiable risk factors, suggesting a clear potential for preventative approaches targeting these factors. He will discuss recent research highlighting the significant role of multidomain lifestyle interventions in mitigating cognitive decline and preventing the progression to dementia in individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment.
A third presentation by Dr. Ward, “Reversal of Cognitive Decline in Early Stages of Disease (Re-Code):
Supplements, Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle Modifications,” will also focus on recent research demonstrating that intensive multimodal lifestyle interventions may improve cognitive function in individuals with MCI or early dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease. And, concurrent improvements in biomarkers of Alzheimer’s pathology and biological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease have also been observed in these approaches.
Another speaker with multiple presentations is Mark Sylvester, M.D., founder and chief medical officer of Mind Body Medicine of Florida in Sarasota. Dr. Sylvester will present “It’s Not Old Age: The Role of Biotoxins in Cognitive Decline,” along with “Current State of Cognitive Decline and Clinical Evidence-Based Integrative/Functional Treatment Options.” He notes that cognitive decline is too often dismissed as an inevitable feature of aging, yet emerging evidence demonstrates that environmental biotoxins play a critical role in driving neurodegeneration. He will explore the mechanistic pathways linking biotoxin exposure to memory loss and dementia, review current research, and highlight functional medicine strategies for assessment, early detection, and targeted intervention to improve cognitive resilience.
Derrick DeSilva, Jr., M.D., who is Associate Attending Staff at Raritan Bay Medical Center in Perth Amboy, NJ, and on the board of directors of American University School of Medicine, Aruba, will present “Introduction and Statistics on Aging and Early Cognitive Decline.” Dr. DeSilva cites alarming statistics, with an estimated 7.2 million Americans age 65 and older living with Alzheimer’s dementia today—a number that could grow to 13.8 million by 2060. Countering this trend, Dr. DeSilva will also present “Role of BHRT and Supplements in Early Cognitive Decline,” discussing a number of possible treatment options.
Also presenting will be Miguel Rivera, M.D., a physician with a private practice in Sarasota, FL, who will discuss “Basics of Cognitive Decline – MCI and Dementias.” He will present the fundamentals of cognitive decline, including reversible causes of cognitive decline, and diagnostic formulations like Mild Cognitive Impairment (Mild Neurocognitive Disorder), as well as the most common causes of dementia (Major Neurocognitive Disorder), and their differential diagnoses.
Rounding out the workshop will be Edwin Lee, M.D., Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Central Florida College of Medicine. Dr. Lee will share a case presentation, “Multi-modality Approach in the Reversal of Cognitive Decline.” He says mild to moderate cognitive decline can be reversed with peptides and also by using Therapeutic Plasma Exchange. He will review the large multi-center trial called Ambar using Therapeutic Plasma Exchange in reversing cognitive decline, and the data of Cereborlysin will be reviewed. In addition, he will discuss the addition of using umbilical cord tissue product as another way to accelerate improvement of cognitive decline.
The conference will also focus on research into cognitive decline apart from the Thursday workshop. Among the General Session presentations is “Neurodegenerative Diseases and Aging – Insights into Aging and Rejuvenation Strategies.” In this comprehensive lecture, Kenneth S. Sharlin, M.D., of Sharlin Health and Neurology and Sharlin Health Neuroscience Research Center will explore the complex interplay between aging and neurodegenerative diseases, highlighting shared cellular and molecular mechanisms that drive both physiological aging and neurological decline. Through a deep dive into Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, and multiple sclerosis, participants will examine key diagnostic criteria, pathological hallmarks, and the role of protein aggregation and mitochondrial dysfunction. The lecture will emphasize emerging biomarkers, precision medicine approaches, and the impact of genetic and epigenetic factors on disease risk and progression. Dr. Sharlin will provide insights into modifiable lifestyle and targeted interventions—ranging from diet and exercise to senolytics and advanced technologies—aimed at promoting neuroprotection, enhancing resilience, and potentially reversing elements of biological aging.
Another lecture, Neuroplasticity Enhancement with Low-Dose Psychedelics: Promise and Caution in Midlife Aging, will be presented by Rafid Fadul, M.D., MBA, Chief Medical Advisor of Cenegenics, and Chief Executive Officer/Co-Founder of Zibian Health, Washington, DC. This presentation will explore the current evidence surrounding the use of sub-perceptual doses of psilocybin and ketamine in midlife and older adults, with a focus on their potential to promote neurogenesis, improve mood, enhance executive function, and reduce age-related cognitive decline.
As promised, here are some of the more fascinating recent developments in research, diagnosis and treatment of cognitive decline, dementia and Alzheimer’s:
Dementia Risk Slashed with One Common Health Intervention, Study Finds
Early Alzheimer’s Signs Detected in 3 Minutes with New Brainwave Test
Hidden Source Of Alzheimer’s May Lie Outside Brain, Study Finds
‘Missing Link’ to Alzheimer’s Disease Found in Study of Human Brain Tissue
Scientists Make Huge Dementia Breakthrough As They Reveal New Jab Which Could Prevent Alzheimer’s
New MRI Brain Scan Predicts Alzheimer’s Risk Years Before Symptoms Develop