Researchers have discovered a potential way to delay Alzheimer’s symptoms in people likely to develop the disease in their 40s or 50s. A study published in The Lancet Neurology found that using drugs to remove amyloid plaques for several years may reduce the risk of developing symptoms by 50%. Scientists at Washington University in St. Louis tracked 22 participants who received this treatment for about eight years. The study focused on families with rare gene mutations that almost always lead to Alzheimer’s, providing useful insights into the treatment’s effects. These participants have now switched to Leqembi, an IV treatment approved in the U.S., for further study. Despite these promising results, the study faces funding issues. Dr. Randall Bateman, the lead investigator, warned that delays in funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) may halt the research. The new NIH director, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, has questioned focusing too heavily on amyloid treatments and supports exploring other options. While new studies are now investigating tau proteins and brain inflammation, researchers say steady funding is crucial to prevent setbacks in Alzheimer’s research.