Alzheimer's Disease International

As athlete, Matthew Rybicki, finishes his journey to run 14 marathons in 14 days across the length of Poland in support of ADI, we would like to take a moment to spotlight his incredible efforts during #WorldAlzMonth. During his fundraising campaign, Matthew has raised over $4,000 for ADI – money that will have a direct impact on ADI’s work in advocating for people living with dementia globally. If you would like to follow along with and see Matthew’s journey in its entirety from the mountains at Zakopane to the Baltic coast finish line in Gdańsk, you can see more at @bymateuszz on Instagram and TikTok. If you would like to donate in support of Matthew’s run, please visit https://lnkd.in/dDW-47vT Please join us in congratulating Matthew on this show of determination, of physical and mental strength, and join us as we express our deep gratitude for his efforts to raise awareness to dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.

Did you know there is more than one kind of dementia? This World Alzheimer’s Month we are issuing a global call to ask about dementia. By asking questions and learning more, we can break down stigma, encourage earlier recognition and support families everywhere. Here are some of the most common types of dementia: 🔴 Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, accounting for up to three quarters of all cases. It is associated with abnormal protein build-ups, such as beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles, in the brain that contribute to damage to nerve cells and affect memory, speech and decision-making. 🔴 Vascular dementia is the second most common type. It develops when blood flow to the brain is blocked or reduced, often after a series of mini strokes. Over time this can lead to confusion and difficulties with concentration. 🔴 Dementia with Lewy bodies accounts for around one in ten cases of dementia. It is associated with abnormal protein deposits in brain cells and can lead to vivid hallucinations, sleep disturbances and changes in movement alongside cognitive decline. It takes its name from abnormal accumulations of the alpha-synuclein protein in the brain, known as Lewy bodies. 🔴 Fronto-temporal dementia is rarer but often develops earlier in life. It affects the frontal lobe of the brain and is marked by changes in personality, mood and behaviour, while memory may remain intact in the early stages. This month let us ask more questions about dementia and bring greater awareness of its different forms to communities all around the world. Learn more about the types of dementia on the ADI website: https://lnkd.in/eYdzyj9n The earlier you know, the more you can do. A dementia diagnosis matters. #WorldAlzMonth #DementiaDiagnosisMatters #AlzheimerDiagnosisMatters #EarlyDiagnosisMatters

The number of people living with dementia is expected to rise sharply in the coming decades. By 2030, an estimated 78 million people will be living with dementia globally. By 2050, that number is projected to reach 139 million. Behind the forecasted numbers are millions of people, families and communities whose lives will be affected. As the number of people living with dementia grows, ensuring earlier access to diagnosis will become increasingly important. A diagnosis can help people understand their cognitive changes, access treatment, care and support, and make decisions about the future. We need health and care systems that are ready to recognise dementia as a major health challenge, and support people up to the point of diagnosis and beyond. The earlier you know, the more you can do. A dementia diagnosis matters. #WorldAlzMonth #DementiaDiagnosisMatters #AlzheimerDiagnosisMatters #EarlyDiagnosisMatter

Costa Rica, the first country in Latin America to adopt a National Dementia Plan, has taken initial steps towards reviewing and updating the plan, which came to an end in 2024. Diego Aguilar, ADI Regional Director for the Americas, joined representatives from the Ministry of Health, PAHO and ASCADA, ADI’s member association in Costa Rica, for a meeting at the PAHO offices in San José to discuss possible pathways for updating the plan. The meeting resulted in initial agreements to continue working together, recognising the importance of collaboration between government and civil society in developing and implementing an effective national response to dementia. The conversation continued through a technical roundtable convened by ASCADA, bringing together health professionals, researchers and academics to contribute evidence, experience and different perspectives on the country’s future dementia response. ADI will continue to work alongside ASCADA and national and regional partners to support Costa Rica as it moves towards the next phase of its dementia response. Learn more about ASCADA: https://lnkd.in/dSPSc-m6 #WorldAlzMonth

This month, landmarks and buildings around the world will light up in purple to mark and celebrate World Alzheimer's Month. 💜 From cities and communities across the globe, these illuminations are a powerful reminder that people living with dementia, their families and carers are not alone, shining a light on this year's message: The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters. Thank you to everyone taking part and helping us raise awareness, challenge stigma and make dementia visible. Together, let's light up the world for dementia. #WorldAlzMonth #DementiaDiagnosisMatters #AlzheimerDiagnosisMatters #EarlyDiagnosisMatters This photo features illuminated buildings in Buenos Aires, Dominica, Jakarta, Kolkata, Mexico City, Quito, Rio de Janeiro and Singapore.

It's World Alzheimer’s Day! Around the world, people are coming together to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and all types of dementia, challenge stigma and show their support for people living with dementia and their families. This year's World Alzheimer's Month campaign is focused on one important message: The Earlier You Know, The More You Can Do: A Dementia Diagnosis Matters. A diagnosis can provide answers. It can help people access treatment, care and support, make informed decisions and plan for the future. Yet too many people continue to face barriers to diagnosis, including stigma, fear, lack of awareness and unequal access to healthcare. Today we ask you to help change that. Talk about dementia. Challenge stigma. Share trusted information. Encourage people with concerns to seek advice. Together, we can help create a world where everyone can actively seek an earlier diagnosis. The earlier you know, the more you can do. Join us for our World Alzheimer's Month campaign: https://bit.ly/3UkBuyD Featured in this post: Alzheimer's Pakistan, Stichting Alzheimer Curaçao, Feledhetetlen, Lanka Foundation, 台灣失智症協會 Taiwan Alzheimer's Disease Association, Alzheimer Indonesia, Alzheimer Nederland, DeutscheAlzheimerGesellschaft, Alzheimer's South Africa, VI Alzheimer's Association, Alzheimer HONDURAS, Tase Fundacion, WHO, barbados alz association, Ministerio de Salud Chile, Alzheimer's Care Armenia Ալցհայմերի խնամք Հայաստան, HKADA 香港認知障礙症協會, Alzheimer's Disease Association of the Philippines, teuntoebes, Bill Gates, HKADA #WorldAlzMonth #DementiaDiagnosisMatters #AlzheimerDiagnosisMatters #EarlyDiagnosisMatters

Today on World Alzheimer’s Day, ADI Regional Director for the Asia Pacific, DY Suharya was in Colombo, Sri Lanka, where the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation (LAF) were celebrating a momentous milestone of their 25th anniversary. Around 100 people attended the World Alzheimer’s Day and LAF anniversary celebrations including dementia advocates, the Mayor of Colombo Ms Vraie Balthazar, the co-founder of LAF Lorraine Yu, the current President of LAF Prof Shehan Williams, LAF Board Members Ms Romany Parakrama and Mrs Lakmali Cabral, and WHO Country Rep Dr Rajesh Pandav – who all came together to celebrate LAF’s milestone of 25 years of dementia care and support services for people in their country and community. As part of the festivities, DY participated in a memory walk with 200 participants on 19 September and further activities this week include a session on “training the trainers” a high-level discussion involving prominent stakeholders, a focus group discussion, in-depth interviews facilitated by experts from the region and recognition of the Lanka Alzheimer’s Foundation activity centre – which is celebrating 15 years of service for people living with dementia. The momentum is building in Sri Lanka, with all these activities and celebrations taking place with the purpose of raising awareness of dementia, but also with the goal of gathering support for a national dementia plan for Sri Lanka: a plan that can support nearing 300,000 people living with dementia in the country. #DementiaIsEverybody’sBiz #EarlyDiagnosisMatters #RoadToSriLankaDementiaPlan

This #WorldAlzDay, is pleased to see European Medicines Agency EMA sharing these real-world evidence studies to highlight how real-world data can help us better understand Alzheimer's disease. Today, we have launched the 2026 World Alzheimer Report: A new era in dementia clinical trials. We are incredibly grateful to have Professor Steffen Thirstrup, Chief Medical Officer at the European Medicines Agency, for his insights and contributions to this year's report. You can access the World Alzheimer Report on the ADI website: https://bit.ly/4iF82gQ

The 2026 World Alzheimer Report is now available: A New Era of Dementia Clinical Trials! Dementia clinical trials are bringing new opportunities alongside important questions about how we make research more inclusive, accessible and effective to enable emerging and future innovation for dementia treatments. The 2026 World Alzheimer Report explores key issues including recruitment participation and retention, the importance of global representation, diversification and their impact on inclusive dementia research, and the need to increase awareness and understanding of clinical trials among medical practitioners. The report also explores what clinical trials are and how they work, while sharing personal perspectives and experiences from people involved in clinical research. ADI thanks the report's lead author Paul Gallagher for bringing together evidence and lived experiences to shine a light on this important and timely topic. Download the 2026 World Alzheimer Report today: https://bit.ly/4iF82gQ #WorldAlzReport #WorldAlzheimerReport #DementiaClinicalTrials #WorldAlzMonth

This week in Bogotá, ADI Regional Director for the Americas Diego Aguilar, alongside delegates of Alzdecolombia, Colombian researchers and academics, engaged with Senator Norma Hurtado and her team to help strengthen Colombia’s national dementia bill and support its path towards public policy, as part of the Regional Symposium on Brain Health and Dementia, organised by the Neuroscience Programme at Universidad Javeriana. ADI thanks GBHI for supporting this initiative, and Facundo Manes, Hernando Santamaría-García, Eduar Herrera and all participants for their valuable contributions. Learn more about ADI's member association for Columbia: https://lnkd.in/eb9tQ2s2 #WorldAlzMonth