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Why Early Matters

By the time Alzheimer’s disease (AD) symptoms appear, the pathology of amyloid and tau may have been present for decades, making diagnosis a priority1,2

Once symptoms present, time is of the essence2,3

Timely assessment of cognitive impairment provides an opportunity to take action and make a difference for patients who may be in the early stages of AD.2,4

Potential benefits of timely detection and diagnosis of AD5,6:

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Earlier initiation of informed disease management5,6

  • Provides an explanation for the underlying causes of the signs and symptoms that patients may experience6
  • Helps patients and caregivers participate in the development of advanced care plans with their family, clinicians, and wider support team
  • Early introduction of strategies and tools to maximize patient independence (eg, daily memory planners, virtual assistant reminders)
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Earlier opportunities to support cognitive well-being5,6

  • Early intervention with nonpharmacological options—such as lifestyle changes, psychological treatment, and cognitive training—may have cognitive impacts for patients in the early stages of AD
  • Able to prescribe pharmacological therapies to manage comorbid medical conditions contributing to cognitive decline
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Earlier consideration of therapeutic options5,6

  • Opportunity to consider available therapies approved for AD
  • Access to clinical trials with potential to benefit from current and future therapies that address the underlying pathology of the disease and contribute to local research opportunities

Timely detection and diagnosis of AD are important because they may enable earlier initiation of informed disease management, earlier opportunities to support cognitive well-being, and earlier consideration of therapeutic options.5,6

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“No one wants Alzheimer’s disease. But now, my family and I have a plan.”

Detecting cognitive impairment early is key

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References:

  1. McDade E, Bednar M, Brashear HR, et al. The pathway to secondary prevention of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2020;6(1):1-9.
  2. Aisen PS, Cummings J, Jack CR Jr, et al. On the path to 2025: understanding the Alzheimer's disease continuum. Alzheimers Res Ther. 2017;9(1):60. doi:10.1186/s13195-017-0283-5
  3. Ty D, McDermott M. Building workforce capacity to improve detection and diagnosis of dementia. Milken Institute; 2021. Accessed August 12, 2021. https://milkeninstitute.org/sites/default/files/2021-05/Building%20Dementia%20Workforce.pdf
  4. Hort J, O'Brien JT, Gainotti G, et al. EFNS guidelines for the diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease. Eur J Neurol. 2010;17(10):1236-1248.
  5. Porsteinsson AP, Isaacson RS, Knox S, et al. Diagnosis of early Alzheimer’s disease: clinical practice in 2021. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2021;3(8):371-386.
  6. Galvin JE, Aisen P, Langbaum JB, et al. Early stages of Alzheimer’s disease: evolving the care team for optimal patient management. Front Neurol. 2021;11:592302. doi: 10.3389/fneur.2020.592302