A Third of People Would Want to Know They Have Alzheimer's 15 Years Before Symptoms

A study from Alzheimer's Research UK detailed the British public's views toward early detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer's, reports Medical Xpress . The report urges action to improve communication about dementia, support research efforts into earlier diagnosis, and ready the National Health Service (NHS) for future treatments. The research estimated that 74 percent of U.K. adults would want to know they had Alzheimer's prior to symptom onset, while 33 percent said they would want to know two years ahead of time and 38 percent would want to know 15 years beforehand. Moreover, at least 75 percent of Britons said they would be willing to undertake cognitive tests, brain imaging, blood tests, and eye tests if they could help determine their risk of Alzheimer's. Despite this, 51 percent of U.K. adults did not know or disagreed with the statement that "Alzheimer's begins decades before symptoms emerge." "It's vital that we begin discussions with the public about why and how we can start to make an earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer's," said Alzheimer's Research UK Chief Medical Officer and Professor Jonathan Schott. "This report suggests that the public is ready for this discussion — and that clinicians have a vital role to play."