Rochester, Minnesota - There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease. But, over the past decade, researchers have learned a lot about factors that may contribute to the disease. This information, says Dr. Ronald Petersen, a Mayo Clinic neurologist, may aid in developing new treatments to help people with Alzheimer's disease live better lives.

Alzheimer’s disease is a difficult diagnosis. But Dr. Petersen says he has great hope for the treatment of the disease.

“It still is an exciting time to be involved in Alzheimer’s disease research.”

Researchers continue to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease and the many factors that contribute to it. This knowledge may lead to new treatments that likely won’t cure the disease, but they may help people live longer and better with it.

“I don’t think we’re going to eradicate it. We don’t do that with heart disease. But if I’m going to have a heart attack at 72, and that can be pushed back to 78, that’s a big deal. So if we can push back, say, cognitive impairment from early 70s to late 70s, that’s hugely important.”

Dr. Petersen says a realistic hope is that, one day, Alzheimer’s disease will become a condition for which there will be effective preventive strategies and treatment options. Options that will help preserve quality of life.