The Dementia Assessment
The Gold Standard For Assessing Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
Early detection is crucial in managing Dementia and cognitive impairment in general. This inspired us to create an assessment that offers clarity and accuracy in detecting the earliest signs of the disease, looking underneath the surface to unearth underlying causes of cognitive decline, so that effective management and potential treatment can be instituted.
Details of what’s included
The price of the Dementia Assessment is £3,000.
Onward Referral and Dementia Pathway
Following on from the 3 tests mentioned above:
If the consultant considers there are any concerning features, the client would then be recommended to undergo a nuclear medicine CT-PET scan using isotope.
These specialised brain scans can image brain metabolism and look for proteins which are deposited in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease. Amyloid PET scanning is the easiest way to show protein deposition in the brain in Alzheimer’s disease, which is a pre-requisite for the new disease slowing drugs .
Depending on the results, the client would then be counselled regarding the newly licensed effective treatments against amyloid. These treatments have been shown to slow the rate of progression of cognitive decline in patients with early dementia.
Additional Reading
How Do I Know If I Need A Dementia Test?
Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) is a condition that sits between the expected cognitive decline of normal ageing and the more serious decline of dementia. People with MCI experience noticeable problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment, but these issues are not severe enough to interfere significantly with daily life.
Common symptoms include:
- Memory Problems: Misplacing items or trouble remembering recent conversations.
- Attention Difficulties: Finding it hard to concentrate, such as during a TV programme or work task.
- Disorientation: Confusion about time, date or place.
- Thinking Skills: Problems with planning or completing tasks, like managing finances or cooking.
- Communication Challenges: Difficulty finding the right words.
- Mood and Behaviour Changes: Increased irritability, anxiety or feelings of depression.
Treatment for Alzheimer’s Disease
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors: These medications, including Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Galantamine (Reminyl), work by preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine in the brain, a chemical that helps nerve cells communicate.
Glutamate Inhibitors: Memantine (Ebixa, Marixino or Valios) is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer's disease. It works by blocking the effects of excessive glutamate, a chemical in the brain that can contribute to neurodegeneration.
Newly Approved Treatments:
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- Donanemab (Kisunla): Developed by Eli Lilly, this is the second medication approved by the FDA for treating patients with early symptoms of Alzheimer's, such as cognitive impairment.
- Lecanemab (Leqembi): Last year, the FDA also approved Lecanemab (Leqembi), developed by Eisai in partnership with Biogen Inc., which showed similar effectiveness in slowing the progression of the disease.
