Benefits of Early Detection and the Financial Impact
Early diagnosis saves costs of medical and long-term care for both families and the U.S. government. Among all Americans alive today, if those who will get Alzheimer's disease (AD) were diagnosed when they had mild cognitive impairment, before dementia, it would collectively save approximately $7 trillion* in health and long-term care costs.1
The Importance of Early Detection in Alzheimer’s Disease
AD is a progressive disorder affecting millions. With early detection, individuals can better plan, manage symptoms, and adopt interventions that may slow its progression.
Here are some key areas impacted by early AD detection:
Available Therapies
While AD has no cure, medications like cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists can manage symptoms.2 Early treatment initiation may improve quality of life.
Pharmacological Treatments
There are two primary classes of drugs used to treat AD symptoms: cholinesterase inhibitors and NMDA receptor antagonists.
Cholinesterase Inhibitors
These drugs increase the levels of acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter essential for memory and cognitive function, by inhibiting the enzyme that breaks it down. Common medications in this category include Aricept® (donepezil), Exelon® (rivastigmine), and Razadyne® ER (galantamine). They are most effective in the early to moderate stages of AD.
NMDA Receptor Antagonists
Namenda® (memantine), the primary drug in this category, helps regulate glutamate, another neurotransmitter important for learning and memory. It is often used in the moderate to severe stages of the disease.
Early detection means that these therapies can be introduced sooner, potentially delaying the worsening of symptoms.
Disease-Modifying Therapies
Recent advances in AD research have led to the development of disease-modifying therapies, which target the underlying pathophysiology of the disease. In particular, the FDA recently approved anti-amyloid antibodies such as Aduhelm® (aducanumab) and Leqembi® (lecanemab-irmb) which have shown promise in reducing amyloid plaques in the brain, one of the hallmarks of AD. Early detection is critical for these treatments because they are most effective when initiated before extensive brain damage has occurred. With ongoing research into tau-based therapies and other biological mechanisms, early detection will continue to be vital for the timely application of future treatments.
Additionally, new AD therapies are being evaluated in more than 170 clinical trials.3 It is critical to stay on top these innovations and for payers to understand their patient population and risk and presence of dementia. Early diagnosis is a critical component of this understanding.
Early Diagnosis is Critical to Cost Avoidance
Studies suggest that healthcare costs and emergency department usage rise sharply in the months before dementia diagnosis, which often relies on family or clinical observations of significant cognitive decline.4,5 Many patients live with undiagnosed cognitive issues, facing challenges like medication adherence and confusion, leading to increased emergency department visits and overall costs. Early diagnosis of at-risk patients allows payers and providers to offer better care management, heighten awareness of warning signs, reduce stigma, encourage preventive measures, and help families provide support sooner. This proactive approach can lead to significant savings, improved patient outcomes, and stronger patient retention.
Possible Benefits of Early Detection
While an early diagnosis may be concerning, those living with AD may see benefits form adopting lifestyle changes that focus on healthy diets, exercise and mental stimulation.6
Lifestyle Interventions
Diet: The Mediterranean and DASH diets support brain health.
Physical Activity: Regular exercise enhances blood flow, aiding cognition.
Cognitive Stimulation: Mental challenges delay symptoms.
Sleep and Stress Management: Better sleep and reduced stress promote brain health.
Prevention Opportunities
Early detection enables preventive measures, such as:
Cardiovascular Health: Managing conditions like hypertension and diabetes supports brain health.
Social Engagement: Strong social networks protect cognition.
Avoiding Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: These reduce brain damage risks.
Planning and Support
Early detection allows for financial and legal preparations, such as establishing powers of attorney. Families can access support resources and explore options like respite care to manage caregiving.
Research Participation
Early detection also enables patients to join clinical trials, contributing to research advancements.
Early detection of AD empowers patients and families to take informed, proactive steps, optimizing therapies and lifestyle adjustments to slow disease progression. This forward-thinking approach allows individuals to maximize cognitive function, adapt routines for better quality of life, and set up essential support systems, ultimately enhancing resilience and preparedness for future challenges.
Alzheimer’s Association. 2024 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures. Alzheimers Dement 2024;20(5). https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/facts-figures
Unlocking Alzheimer's Secrets: Can these Simple Prevention Tips Halt Alzheimer's Disease? https://webmedy.com/blog/alzheimers-disease-tips/
Cummings J, Zhou Y, Lee G, Zhong K, Fonseca J, Cheng F. Alzheimer's disease drug development pipeline: 2023 [published correction appears in Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2023 Jun 28;9(2):e12407. doi: 10.1002/trc2.12407]. Alzheimers Dement (N Y). 2023;9(2):e12385. Published 2023 May 25. doi:10.1002/trc2.12385 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10210334/
Persson S, Saha S, Gerdtham UG, Toresson H, Trépel D, Jarl J. Healthcare costs of dementia diseases before, during and after diagnosis: Longitudinal analysis of 17 years of Swedish register data. Alzheimers Dement. 2022;18(12):2560-2569. doi:10.1002/alz.12619 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35189039/
Seidenfeld J, Runels T, Goulet JL, Augustine M, Brandt CA, Hastings SN, Hung WW, Ragsdale L, Sullivan JL, Zhu CW, Hwang U. Patterns of emergency department visits prior to dementia or cognitive impairment diagnosis: An opportunity for dementia detection? Acad Emerg Med. 2023 Nov 7:10.1111/acem.14832. doi: 10.1111/acem.14832. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37935451; PMCID: PMC11074234. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37935451/