Estimating prevalence of early symptomatic Alzheimer's disease in the United States

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONUnderstanding the prevalence of treatment‐eligible Alzheimer's disease (AD) is crucial for policy planning.METHODSWe used a comprehensive literature review and population cascade approach to estimate the number of amyloid‐positive, clinically diagnosed patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia due to AD in the United States.RESULTSAn estimated 666,646 individuals were identified as having MCI due to AD (range: 351,926–1,227,776) and 620,850 individuals as having mild dementia due to AD (range: 445,082–820,339). In a US population of 76 million individuals aged 60 or older in 2021, the estimates of MCI and mild dementia due to AD increased with age.CONCLUSIONSAs earlier diagnosis of AD and new disease‐modifying treatments become available, accurate population estimates are required to reduce uncertainty in the number of clinically diagnosed patients eligible for amyloid‐targeting therapies.

2024 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures

“… 268 Even fewer people living with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), a precursor to dementia (see Overview), receive a diagnosis despite this being a stage where treatment and planning may be most effective. 270 One recent study estimates that only 8% of older Americans living with MCI receive a diagnosis. 271…”