Company Joins Global Initiative to Replace Outdated Language with Empowering, Patient-Centered Communication
Carlsbad, California, February 2nd, 2025 – ALZpath, Inc., a leader in blood test-based diagnostic solutions for Alzheimer’s disease, today announced it has signed a formal commitment with the Initiative to Change the “D-Word” to remove the word “dementia” from its communications and materials. This strategic commitment reflects ALZpath’s belief that outdated and stigmatizing language can discourage individuals from seeking timely evaluation and care, ultimately undermining global progress in early detection and treatment.
“Language is a lens through which we view our future, and when that lens is clouded by stigma, it breeds a culture of silence and delay,” said Mike Zuendel, Founder and Advocate-in-Chief of the Initiative to Change the “D-Word. “By moving away from a word that carries the weight of hopelessness, we empower individuals to face their cognitive health with courage rather than fear.”
ALZpath’s proprietary pTau217 antibody is an integral component of the world’s most advanced and widely available blood-based diagnostic tests for Alzheimer’s Disease. Widely adopted in both research and commercial settings, the antibody enables earlier patient identification, improved monitoring of therapeutic response, and generation of robust evidence to accelerate the development and validation of new therapies.
“We believe that world-class science must be matched by a deep sense of humanity,” said Mike Banville, CEO and President of ALZpath. “Early detection is critical and changing the language that surrounds cognitive health helps make that possible. When people feel supported and unafraid to seek answers, they are more likely to pursue testing and care that can significantly improve outcomes.”
The Initiative to Change the “D-Word” works with partners across advocacy, research, and industry to promote precise, patient-centered communication that reflects scientific progress and supports earlier action. Through this commitment, ALZpath joins a growing coalition of organizations aligning advances in diagnostic science with more accurate and compassionate language around brain health and cognitive conditions.