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N e e d s A s s e s s m e n t |
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Unless ways are found to prevent Alzheimer's Disease (AD) or delay its onset, it is projected that 13 million people in the United States will have AD by 2050. Individuals with AD suffer from cognitive and functional impairment, loss of productivity and significant deterioration in over-all quality of life. Most will develop problematic behaviors and many will need long-term care. In addition, caregivers of the patients are often affected by physical burden, emotional distress and financial hardship.
Since the development of criteria for AD twenty-seven years ago, there have been major advances in our understanding of the biology and early clinical features of AD and other causes of dementia. This has led to improvements in clinical assessment and brain imaging, which has enabled clinicians to diagnose AD more reliably and at an earlier stage of illness. Three international workgroups convened by the Alzheimer's Association and the National Institute on Aging (NIA) have issued new criteria and guidelines to diagnose Alzheimer's disease more accurately. These workgroups have also refined existing guidelines for diagnosing a pre-dementia condition known as Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). People with MCI are at increased risk for progressing to AD or dementia. American Academy of Neurology Practice Guidelines include recommendations that clinicians identify and monitor MCI using cognitive test batteries. The early diagnosis of dementing illnesses can lead to beneficial pharmacological treatment and non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., caregiver education, legal and financial counseling).
However, several studies have shown that physicians often lack knowledge of the early signs and symptoms of AD resulting in a delay in diagnosis and intervention. Many physicians are also unaware of the advantages and limitations of new assessment and imaging tools, or how to interpret their results in clinical practice. Clinicians also need information about the latest AD research to respond to patient questions and to refer to clinical trials.
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