A comprehensive new guideline aims to revolutionize the diagnostic process for Alzheimer’s disease and related cognitive impairments, offering a structured approach for both primary and specialty care.
Published in Alzheimer’s & Dementia | Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
In a significant advancement, an expert workgroup has developed new guidelines for the comprehensive evaluation of patients suspected of having cognitive impairment or dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease or related disorders. These guidelines, the first of their kind in over two decades, emphasize a three-step diagnostic formulation to enhance care planning and improve patient outcomes.
A New Era in Diagnostic Precision
The advent of biologically-based diagnostic biomarkers is transforming the landscape of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and AD-related neurodegenerative disorders (ADRD) evaluation. This comprehensive guideline, published in a special issue of Alzheimer’s & Dementia, outlines a meticulous process for diagnostic evaluation and disclosure.
“With this guideline, we expand the scope of prior guidelines by providing recommendations for practicing clinicians on the process from start to finish,” said Brad Dickerson, M.D., Director of the Massachusetts General Hospital Frontotemporal Disorders Unit and Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School.
The guideline emphasizes the importance of involving a care partner throughout the process, as cognitive symptoms often compromise a person’s ability to process information independently. This approach ensures a high-quality, personalized evaluation tailored to each patient.
“The workgroup provides rigorous, evidence- and practice-informed foundational steps that capture the core elements of a high-quality evaluation and disclosure process,” Dickerson added. The guidelines are formulated into 19 practical recommendations applicable to various practice settings, including primary care, along with additional guidance for specialists and subspecialists.
Alireza Atri, M.D., Ph.D., Chief Medical Officer at Banner Research, highlights the guideline’s significance: “This first U.S. interdisciplinary national evaluation guideline, designed for broad clinical settings, provides a comprehensive foundation summarizing a high-quality and personalized process within which specific tests are slotted and can be updated as the field evolves.”
The workgroup, comprising experts from multiple disciplines and care settings, concludes that adhering to these recommendations and providing adequate resources should improve outcomes for most patients in most practice settings.
Maria C. Carrillo, Ph.D., Alzheimer’s Association chief science officer, emphasizes the importance of these guidelines: “These guidelines are important because they guide clinicians in the evaluation of memory complaints, which could have many underlying causes. That is the necessary start for an early and accurate Alzheimer’s diagnosis.”
Glossary
- Alzheimer’s Disease (AD): A progressive neurologic disorder that causes the brain to shrink and brain cells to die.
- AD-related Neurodegenerative Disorders (ADRD): Conditions that cause or contribute to cognitive-behavioral impairment, including Lewy Body Disease and Vascular Cognitive Impairment.
- Diagnostic Biomarkers: Measurable characteristics that indicate the presence of a disease or condition.
- Care Partner: An individual who assists a person with cognitive impairment, often a family member or close friend.
- Cognitive Functional Status: The overall level of cognitive impairment, such as mild cognitive impairment or dementia.
Test Your Knowledge
What is the significance of the new guidelines for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease?
The new guidelines provide a comprehensive framework for the diagnostic evaluation of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, emphasizing a three-step diagnostic formulation to enhance care planning and improve patient outcomes.
Who is involved in the development of these guidelines?
The guidelines were developed by an expert workgroup representing primary and specialty care, including professionals from various disciplines and care settings.
What role does a care partner play in the diagnostic process?
A care partner is crucial in the diagnostic process as cognitive symptoms often compromise a person’s ability to process information independently. The care partner helps ensure a high-quality, personalized evaluation.
How do the new guidelines differ from previous ones?
The new guidelines expand the scope of prior guidelines by providing recommendations for practicing clinicians on the entire diagnostic process, from start to finish. They are applicable to various practice settings, including primary care, and offer additional guidance for specialists and subspecialists.
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