Authors' objectives:

To summarise the current research evidence on new tests for early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Authors' recommendations: - Clinical impact: The National Service Framework for Older People states that the NHS should identify and treat older people with mental health problems. The early diagnosis of people with AD could lead to more effective clinical treatment with pharmacological agents such as the acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. A large number of patients are believed to have AD and a significant number are currently unidentified until they are in the more moderate to severe stages of the disease. - Service impact: There will be minimal impact if the systems are used within current memory clinics. - Additional factors: Any more discriminatory non-invasive test that becomes available is likely to be welcomed by patients, carers and professionals. - Financial and overall NHS impact: The financial impact of the new memory tests on the NHS may not be significant. However, the ability of these tests to identify patients in the early stages of AD, when pharmacological treatment is more effective, may mean significant additional costs.

Authors' methods: Overview

Project Status: Completed

Year Published: 2002

URL for published report: http://www.hsric.nihr.ac.uk/search

English language abstract: An English language summary is available

Publication Type: Not Assigned

Country: England, United Kingdom

Organisation Name: NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre

Contact Address: The NIHR Horizon Scanning Centre, Department of Public Health, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, School of Health and Population Sciences, University of Birmingham, 90 Vincent Drive, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2SP. United Kingdom. Tel: +44 121 414 7831, Fax: +44 121 2269

Contact Name: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Contact Email: c.packer@bham.ac.uk

Copyright: National Horizon Scanning Centre (NHSC)