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 new data. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that only 600,000 Americans received a medical diagnosis for MCI, suggesting the condition is vastly underdiagnosed. Primary care clinicians in the US are not effectively detecting MCI cases, with historically disadvantaged groups at an even higher risk. Early detection of MCI is crucial, as approved drugs can help preserve cognitive function in the early stages of decline. The recently FDA-approved drug, lecanemab, can slow disease progression, but not reverse it.