In the midst of suffering, the Catholic faith calls us to care for the sick and vulnerable, to support medical advancements that uphold the dignity of human life, and to advocate for just policies that prioritize human well-being. This is why a recent scientific breakthrough in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease should capture the attention of faithful Catholics—both for the hope it brings and the challenges it now faces.
A groundbreaking study has shown that an experimental treatment may delay Alzheimer’s symptoms in people who are genetically predisposed to develop the disease in their 40s or 50s, according to research led by Washington University in St. Louis. However, the future of this research is uncertain due to funding delays caused by political decisions.
For many families, this treatment represents a lifeline. Jake Heinrichs, a participant in the study, inherited a rare Alzheimer’s-causing gene that took the lives of his father and brother at the same age he is now. “It’s still a study but it has given me an extension to my life that I never banked on having,” Heinrichs shared, according to the Associated Press. If his access to treatment is cut off due to political funding issues, his wife Rachel Chavkin fears, “how much time do we have? This trial is life.”
The Science of Hope
Alzheimer’s disease affects nearly seven million Americans, robbing individuals of their memory, personality, and ability to recognize loved ones. Scientists believe that changes in the brain begin at least two decades before symptoms appear. One key factor is a sticky substance called amyloid, which builds up and eventually leads to neuron death. Two drugs currently approved in the U.S. can slow early-stage Alzheimer’s by clearing amyloid from the brain. However, this new research suggests that removing amyloid even earlier—before symptoms arise—could prevent the disease altogether.
The study focused on 22 individuals who had been receiving amyloid-targeting drugs for an average of eight years. The results showed that long-term removal of amyloid “cut in half their risk of symptom onset,” according to findings published in Lancet Neurology. Dr. Randall Bateman, who directs the Dominantly Inherited Alzheimer’s Network, explained, “What we want to determine over the next five years is how strong is the protection… Will they ever get the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease if we keep treating them?”
A Moral and Ethical Challenge
While science has given us this hopeful breakthrough, bureaucracy and political maneuvering now threaten its continuation. Bateman’s study is currently facing delays in receiving National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding, as required grant reviews were canceled under the Trump administration’s recent budget decisions. The NIH has also indicated a potential shift in research focus after Dr. Jay Bhattacharya, the agency’s nominee for director, expressed skepticism over past research priorities. “One of the reasons I think that we have not made progress in Alzheimer’s, as much as we ought to have, is because the NIH has not supported a sufficiently wide range of hypotheses,” Bhattacharya stated, according to the Associated Press.
This uncertainty has left families fearful for their loved ones’ futures. June Ward, a study participant who is now older than her mother was when she developed Alzheimer’s, is actively urging lawmakers to protect the funding. “It is exciting to think about the possibility that Alzheimer’s disease might not be what gets me,” she said.
As Catholics, we believe that medical research should serve the common good and uphold the sanctity of life. The delay of potentially life-saving treatments due to political conflicts raises serious ethical concerns. While it is prudent for scientific institutions to explore multiple research paths, it is also vital that we do not abandon promising treatments that could alleviate suffering and extend lives.
A Call to Action
Pope St. John Paul II often spoke of the dignity of those who suffer, emphasizing that the elderly and infirm should never be seen as burdens but as beloved members of our human family. Supporting Alzheimer’s research aligns with this Catholic commitment to life and dignity. We must ask ourselves: Are we doing enough to ensure that every possible treatment avenue is explored, especially when the stakes are so high?
This is not just about science. It is about the families who pray for more time with their loved ones. It is about the caregivers who walk the difficult road of Alzheimer’s with faith and love. It is about a society that must choose whether to prioritize human life or political agendas. As Catholics, we are called to advocate for policies that protect and promote the well-being of all, especially the most vulnerable.
“I have hope that my 3-year-old son won’t experience the stress and sorrow that I lived through as a young man to watch my father fade away,” Heinrichs said. His wife Chavkin added, “We need the NIH to be not politicized. It’s just about keeping people alive or helping them live better. And in this case, it’s helping my husband survive.”
Let us pray that wisdom prevails, that research continues, and that those affected by Alzheimer’s receive the dignity, care, and hope they deserve. And let us also take action—by reaching out to policymakers, supporting ethical medical research, and standing in solidarity with those battling this devastating disease.
“For I will restore health to you, and your wounds I will heal, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 30:17)
