Early Detection

Alzheimer's disease has no cure and no treatment to stop its progression, but early and accurate detection and diagnosis are crucial.

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Why early detection and diagnosis? 

  • It can be a relief to understand what is going on, for the individual with Alzheimer's and the family, and can provide time to plan for future care.
  • It may allow preventive steps for brain health that could potentially delay some symptoms.  
  • Individuals with a cognitive impairment due to a treatable condition (not due to Alzheimer’s) can receive appropriate treatments. 
  • Upon diagnosis, those with the disease can discuss treatments to slow progression with their medical professional. Scientists now believe that the damage to the brain that results from Alzheimer’s disease may begin much earlier than previously thought—as much as a decade or more before symptoms appear. And it is likely that treatment will be most effective at the earlier, pre-symptomatic stage. 
  • Those who are diagnosed will receive more rapid access to innovative treatments that may soon enter the market. They can also join a clinical trial registry or participate in a clinical trial.

Early detection and diagnosis is a major focus for UsAgainstAlzheimer’s. We are working with internationally renowned experts to outline a national strategy for early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and dementia. Our networks each work with partners on outreach to their communities and to health professionals to urge wider use of cognitive assessments and greater awareness of the benefits of early detection and diagnosis.

Ask your doctor to check your brain health

Ask your doctor about checking your brain health or cognitive function as part of your annual wellness exam. Like proactive screening for cancer, heart disease, or vision problems, a regular cognitive assessment can help you and your doctor identify changes early.

 

Where Are We on "The Path to 2025? Early and Accurate Detection and Diagnosis"?

This panel of experts at our 2017 Summit discussed strategies in prevention and early detection, emphasizing the need to train clinicians, utilize technology and data, and transform payment and reimbursement practices.

 

An Alzheimer’s XPRIZE

The Alzheimer’s Team, which includes our chairman, George Vradenburg, received top honors at the XPRIZE Visioneers Summit, and we are now working on a competition with a cash prize for a way to detect the presence of the disease before symptoms occur.

Learn more from Lisa Genova and George Vradenburg on their Alzheimer’s Talks and from the UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Press Release on Alzheimer’s XPRIZE.

Promoting Early Detection of Alzheimer’s and Dementia

Our free  Alzheimer’s Talks series often address various aspects and benefits of diagnosis and early detection.

 

News and Resources

  • November 06, 2020

    UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Urges FDA to Approve Aducanumab to Give More Time and New Hope to People with Early Stage Alzheimer’s

    Washington, D.C. (November 6, 2020) – UsAgainstAlzheimer’s (UsA2) today called for federal...

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  • October 29, 2020

    UsAgainstAlzheimer’s Statement on Exciting Development with New Blood Test to Help in Evaluating Patients for Alzheimer’s

    UsAgainstAlzheimer’s issued the following statement by George Vradenburg, chairman and co-founder, on...

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  • July 28, 2020

    UsA2 Statement on Promising New Research on Blood Tests for Alzheimer's

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