A pair of new studies are reshaping how researchers think about Alzheimer’s disease risk and progression timing, using large-scale human genetics and disease-focused molecular mapping. A GWAS meta-analysis reported 91 associated loci for Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias, including 56 tied to clinically diagnosed Alzheimer’s, expanding the set of genomic signals researchers can now prioritize for functional follow-up. In parallel, a Nature Medicine paper from VIB, KU Leuven, UK DRI, and Muna Therapeutics identifies what the authors describe as a pivotal biological “tipping point” in the transition from Alzheimer’s pathology to dementia. The work uses mechanistic evidence to define a transition stage rather than treating neurodegeneration as a single process. Together, the publications add both breadth (more loci across dementia phenotypes) and depth (a candidate transition biology program) to ongoing efforts to stratify patients and develop stage-specific therapies.