Biomarkers provide a dynamic and powerful approach to understanding the spectrum of diseases from the earliest manifestations to the terminal stages. A recently published framework for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) in research studies would allow diagnosis on the sole basis of two biomarkers (-amyloid and tau). This revision will have substantial implications for future Alzheimer’s research. We will discuss the conditions that need to be met (validity, reliability, innovation) for this new diagnostic framework to foster identification of effective strategies to prevent or treat AD.