Early detection of dementia lays the foundation for proactive management and improved quality of life. By identifying subtle cognitive changes before they escalate, individuals have the opportunity to take control of their health, make informed decisions, and improve their quality of life. Timely intervention opens doors to a range of benefits that cannot be understated.
Early Detection of Cognitive Decline and Medical Treatment
Early detection allows for timely access to appropriate medical treatments, therapies, and interventions. Pharmaceutical advancements and therapeutic strategies can be more effective in slowing down the progression of the disease when initiated early.
As of the latest research news, antibodies may have the ability to alter the disease course by targeting amyloid beta with immunotherapy medications such as donanemab, aducanumab, and lecanemab. Leqembi recently became the first FDA fully approved drug that aims to slow the progression of the disease.
In Lilly’s phase 3 clinical trial of 1,736 patients with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage disease, donanemab slowed the progression of Alzheimer’s by 29% after 18! The thinking goes that by targeting amyloid the earlier the greater efficacy for the disease progression could be slowed. This offers a chance for individuals to maintain their cognitive abilities and functional independence for a longer period.
Empowering Families and Caregivers
Early diagnosis provides individuals and their families with the crucial gift of time. It enables comprehensive care planning, allowing families to better understand the disease trajectory and make informed decisions about future care options, financial arrangements, and legal matters and also reduce unnecessary referrals.
Recognizing dementia in its early stages can also alleviate the burden on caregivers. Early planning and interventions enable caregivers to access resources, support networks, and training that equip them to provide the best possible care for the patients.
Early Detection of Cognitive Decline and the Promise of Online Assessment
When it comes to spotting signs of early cognitive decline, we look for various clues, like changes in mood, memory lapses, and difficulties with everyday tasks. But is there a simpler and less invasive way to help doctors diagnose it early on before it gets worse?
Well, the answer is yes! Thanks to the wonders of speech analysis and the convenience of online testing, we’ve made it easier for everyone. Online cognitive assessments are now one of the quickest, least bothersome, and most effective methods for catching cognitive decline in its early stages.
Online assessments have many benefits including accessibility, but can also remove barriers such as the stigma that patients may feel by going into an office setting to take a cognitive test. Online tests also provide the ease of being integrated into current technology the patient is already familiar with using.
While many online tests can be administered as a stand-alone assessment, they can also be combined with other assessments for a more precise diagnosis, especially for mild cases of cognitive decline.
Conclusion
Providers are turning to AI tools, such as LANGaware, which provide fast and accurate results, can be administered by their staff or patient at home, and can assist with a more precise diagnosis than using a pen and paper test only.
According to NIH, 50% of PCPs used cognitive screens or tests in only half of their patients with suspected NCDs, and only 20% reported they had high confidence in their ability to interpret cognitive testing results compared to 68% of specialists. Tests such as LANGaware have an 80% sensitivity and specificity, making LANGaware an ideal solution as a standalone assessment tool or in conjunction to complement the diagnosis.
Not only does this improve patient outcomes and lower the cost of care, but online assessments also improve access, and accuracy, while providing proactive care to the people who need it the most.
