Innovations in Alzheimer's Screening and Treatment Disparities

This research brief examines the impact of recent innovations in Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment on screening practices and treatment disparities. It details findings related to the approval of new disease-modifying therapies (DMTs), specifically lecanemab and donanemab, and their influence on cognitive screening and biomarker testing rates. The brief highlights significant increases in cognitive screening by 10%, gene and protein biomarker testing by 23%, and a 13-fold increase in amyloid beta pathology testing. Despite these advancements, it notes persistent gender and racial disparities in screening and treatment access, particularly among Black patients and women. The brief outlines the roles of various healthcare professionals in prescribing these therapies and their engagement in independent medical education (IME), which has increased post-approval. The objective of the research is to understand how care is evolving in response to these innovations, utilizing data from a comprehensive analysis of patient journeys and healthcare provider engagement over an 18-month period.