There is currently limited use of valuable screening and testing tools for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s diseases, despite underdiagnosis of the condition, a new study shows.
Researchers have studied responses from nearly 1,300 US participants to understand experiences and views of cognitive screening and blood biomarker testing among adults aged 65 to 80.
Consistent with previous research, the study found that only about one in five older Americans reported having cognitive screening in the past year, with such rates lower among certain racial and ethnic minority groups.
It also showed that a majority of older Americans are aware of the upsides of early detection such as earlier treatment, financial planning and more.
Even with recognition of potential benefits and Medicare coverage of cognitive testing for beneficiaries, the underuse of cognitive screening persists, the researchers say.
Millions of dementia cases go undiagnosed and untreated, fuelled by multiple barriers to diagnosis at the patient, provider and health care system levels, which the study details.
“Living with Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias can impact entire families and social systems. When addressed early, individuals along with their loved ones and health care providers can work together to make important medical, financial and legal decisions for the future,” said Chelsea Cox, a doctoral student at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine.
“The sooner a conversation about cognitive health occurs, the more possibilities for prevention, symptom control and treatment open up,” said Scott Roberts, professor of Health Behaviour and Health Equity and a long-time Alzheimer’s disease and dementia researcher.
“Treatments are now available to help slow the course of Alzheimer’s disease, if started early enough, and there are promising clinical trials and risk reduction strategies available,” he said.
“So for many older adults, talking to your doctor about your cognitive health can be as important as talking to your doctor about your physical health.”
Roberts is a member of the executive committee at the Michigan Alzheimer’s Disease Center and associate director of the National Poll on Healthy Aging, which is based at the University of Michigan Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation. The poll team previously published a report on dementia screening and testing awareness and attitudes among adults aged 50 to 80; the new study focuses on those aged 65 to 80.
