Millions of Older Americans Unaware of Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
Nearly 7.5 million older Americans are predicted to have mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a potential early sign of Alzheimer’s disease, but are unaware of it, according to research from the University of Southern California. The university recently published two papers on the topic. The first study, published in Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy, analysed data from 40 million Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older and found that only 600,000 had received a proper medical diagnosis for MCI. The second study, published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer’s Disease, revealed that 99.9% of primary care clinicians in the US are not catching MCI cases sufficiently. The detection rate is even worse among historically disadvantaged groups, such as Black and Hispanic Americans and those with less education. The risk of developing MCI is also higher in these groups. Detecting MCI early is crucial because approved drugs can help preserve cognitive function only in the early stages of decline, not in later stages.
If individuals have memory concerns, such as becoming more forgetful, having difficulty tracking time, or getting lost more often, they should discuss it with their primary care provider. Caregivers should schedule appointments for their loved ones who are experiencing these changes. Primary care providers can perform a quick assessment and determine whether a referral to a specialist, such as a neurologist or geriatrician, for further cognitive testing is necessary. Awareness about MCI is essential, and individuals should inform their doctor’s office in advance if they want a preliminary cognitive assessment. MCI is generally found in individuals aged 65 and older and is often a symptom of early Alzheimer’s disease. With FDA-approved treatments available to slow disease progression, it is crucial to see a doctor if concerned. The drug lecanemab (Leqembi), recently approved by the FDA, can clear amyloid plaques and tau tangles from the brain, slowing the progression of the disease, but cannot reverse it.
