Despite the potential benefits of early detection and increasing treatment options for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, there is limited use of valuable screening and testing tools, say researchers at the University of Michigan.
University of MichiganFeb 21 2025
Consistent with previous research, their study found that only about 1 in 5 older Americans reported having cognitive screening in the past year, with such rates lower among certain racial and ethnic minority groups . More than 6.5 million people in the United States have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, a number projected to double by 2060, according to the Alzheimer's Association.
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, fueled by multiple barriers to diagnosis at the patient, provider and health care system levels, which the study details.
The sooner a conversation about cognitive health occurs, the more possibilities for prevention, symptom control and treatment open up, said Scott Roberts, U-M professor of health behavior and health equity and a longtime Alzheimer’s disease and dementia researcher.
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