NEHI is conducting a project to examine the earliest steps in the Alzheimer's disease patient journey, from screening and assessment for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia to follow-up steps that may trigger referral to other services for diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or other neurological disorders.

NEHI convened an expert roundtable on innovations in dementia screening and assessment in Washington on May 23. The roundtable featured two panels that explored the wide range of innovative tests and tools now emerging for dementia assessment and the implications they pose for primary care and dementia-related services.

The first panel focused on the array of innovations now emerging or in development, including digital screening tools capable of detecting multiple signs of Mild Cognitive Impairment and dementia, to tests of biomarkers found in blood and skin. AI-enabled predictive analytics based on claims and clinical data are also emerging that may allow early identification of patients at heightened risk of dementia.

Innovations in screening and dementia assessment could enable primary care physicians and other frontline practitioners to identify dementia in patients at a greater scale, more quickly and accurately. However, NEHI's second panel pointed out the considerable barriers that must be overcome to take full advantage of new tests and tools. They include limited access to–-and increasing shortages in–-primary care teams and neurologists. There is also limited payment support for greater uptake of dementia screening and assessment and longstanding stigmas associated with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease continue to deter action. Panelists urged continued efforts to destigmatize dementia and point patients, families, and clinicians toward greater attention to the multiple factors associated with dementia. These factors not only include progression to Alzheimer’s disease but also complications of heart disease, stress, polypharmacy, and other preventable or treatable issues.

Opening Presentation:

Panel 1: Oncoming Innovations for Screening and Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Panel 2:  Implications for Clinical Practice and Health Care Policy of Oncoming Innovations in MCI and Dementia Screening and Assessment

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Panel #1: Oncoming Innovations for Screening and Assessment of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia (Moderator: Tom Hubbard, Senior Vice President of Policy Research, NEHI) 

Confirmed Panelists Include:

• Deborah E. Barnes, PhD, MPH, Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Epidemiology & Biostatistics, UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences and Osher Center for Integrative Health, University of California, San Francisco

• David Bates, PhD, CEO & Co-Founder, Linus Health  

• James Hendrix, PhD, Executive Director for US Medical Affairs, Eli Lilly & Company 

• Todd Levine, MD, Chief Medical Officer & Co-Founder, CND Life Sciences; Clinical Neurologist

• Josh Soldo, Chief Scientific Officer & Co-Founder, Veravas, Inc.

Panel #2: Implications for Clinical Practice and Health Care Policy of Oncoming Innovations in MCI and Dementia Screening and Assessment (Moderator: Tom Hubbard, Senior Vice President of Policy Research, NEHI) 

Confirmed Panelists Include: 

• Amanda Bartelme, Executive Director, Policy, Eisai, Inc.

• Angela Hsu, MD, Physician Director of Memory Care Services, Mid-Atlantic Permanente Medical Group

• Ian Kremer, JD, Executive Director, LEAD (Leaders Engaged on Alzheimer’s Disease) Coalition

• Scott Sarran, MD, MBA, Chief Medical Officer, Harmonic Health

• Karen Tracy, Vice President of Strategic Alliances & Integrated Communications, Gerontological Society of America

• Julie Wood, MD, MPH, FAAFP, Senior Vice President of Science and Clinical Strategy, American Academy of Family Physicians; Family Physician

Co-Moderator:

Lauren Bedel, MPH

Program Manager, Health Policy and Research