Alzheimer’s disease (AD) accounts for 60-80% of dementia cases and brings significant economic burdens, including $305 billion in annual US costs, projected to exceed $1.1 trillion by 2050. AD’s hallmark pathologies—amyloid beta (Aβ) plaques and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs)—precede cognitive decline by 10-20 years. Early detection of these biomarkers is essential for timely intervention as AD progresses from preclinical stages to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and eventually to severe dementia, causing loss of independence and the need for round-the-clock care.

Early diagnosis of AD allows patients to plan for care, access symptomatic treatments, and adopt lifestyle changes to slow cognitive decline. Tools like the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), structural imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis play key roles in identifying early signs. Biomarkers such as Aβ and tau, detectable through PET scans or CSF testing, aid in diagnosis and disease monitoring. As potential disease-modifying treatments advance, the role of primary care physicians, specialists, and integrated healthcare teams will become critical in managing AD.

Reference: Porsteinsson A, Isaacson R, Knox S, et al., M. N. Sabbagh, I. Rubino. 2021. Diagnosis of Early Alzheimer’s Disease: Clinical Practice in 2021. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. Serdi-Editions. doi:10.14283/jpad.2021.23.