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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:
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)
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
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
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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
EXPLORE ASSESSMENT TOOLSReferences:
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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