Why Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Today is so Difficult—and How we can do Better

Bill Gates announced seven months ago that he would begin investing in Alzheimer’s research and the response has been overwhelming. He has learned that the diagnosis process is “less than ideal,” invasive, and experience – an initial cognitive test, then a determination if there are any other possible causes for memory loss, such as a stroke or a nutritional deficiency. If those are ruled out, a spinal tap or PET scan can be relied upon. Unfortunately many insurance policies will not reimburse for Alzheimer’s exams.

The harsh truth is that currently a 100% confirmation of Alzheimer’s is not currently possible until an autopsy is performed.

A point of contention is that patients are not tested for the disease until they are already starting to show signs of cognitive decline. Research suggests Alzheimer’s starts damaging the brain more than a decade before symptoms start showing. That’s probably when we need to start treating people to have the best shot at an effective drug.

See Bill Gates, Why Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Today is so Difficult—and How we can do Better, Bill Gates, July 17, 2018.

Special thanks to Lewis Saret (Attorney, Washington, D.C.) for bringing this article to my attention