Alzheimer’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease worldwide. While no cure has been developed, the harmful buildup of amyloid plaques is a promising target. One switch that could be key in reversing this deadly accumulation is the protein ADAM10. ADAM10 is best known for processing the precursor to the amyloid protein that accumulates in the brains of patients with Alzheimer’s. In this role, ADAM10 serves as a safeguard by diverting the protein from the pathway that gives rise to plaques. Boosting this capability, therefore, could be one way of preventing Alzheimer’s disease. Drugs that may achieve this include melatonin, a hormone responsible for regulating sleep, statins, which help reduce cholesterol, and various natural, anti-inflammatory compounds. Much work still remains to be done into how ADAM10 behaves in Alzheimer’s disease. Combined with general efforts to understand how the disease takes hold, the findings could prove powerful for treatment and prevention.