Survey Study Aims to Assess Germany’s Readiness for Early Alzheimer Diagnosis Using Biomarkers

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Key Takeaways

German memory clinics' readiness for biomarker-based Alzheimer's diagnostics is under evaluation, focusing on early detection and treatment potential.
Biomarker use in clinical practice remains limited despite their recognized value in dementia assessment.
The re.cogni.ze study suggests digital self-assessment tools like neotivCare could enhance early cognitive decline detection.
The neotivCare app demonstrated high usability and perceived value among patients and physicians, with significant enrollment and completion rates.

A new survey study will assess how well German memory clinics and specialists are equipped to provide early and accurate Alzheimer diagnoses using biomarker-based methods.

Stefanie Köhler

(Credit: LinkedIn)

A forthcoming survey aims to evaluate the readiness of German memory clinics and specialists to implement biomarker-based diagnostics for Alzheimer disease (AD), an approach considered potentially crucial for early detection and potential disease-modifying treatments.¹

Despite the recognized value of biomarkers such as PET scans and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diagnostics in dementia assessment, researchers noted that their use remains limited in clinical practice. The study, set to have concluded data collection by December 2024, will gather insights from directors of memory clinics, neurologists, and psychiatrists regarding their diagnostic procedures, attitudes, and infrastructure for integrating biomarker-based approaches.

The design of the study was recently presented at the 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease (AD/PD), held April 1-5 in Vienna, Austria, by lead author Stefanie Köhler, scientist at the German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases. All together, the study will utilize an online survey distributed in phases: first to the 210 memory clinic directors in Germany, followed by a shortened version sent to neurologists and psychiatrists in private practice. The survey will assess sociodemographic factors, biomarker-based diagnostic practices, and perspectives on potential antibody treatments.

Data analysis, to have been scheduled in early 2025, is expected to highlight the ongoing challenges in adopting biomarker-driven diagnostics. Anticipated findings suggest that although medical experts recognize the importance of early Alzheimer detection, there will likely be a gap in the routine use of lumbar puncture and MRI scans for diagnostic confirmation. By identifying these diagnostic shortcomings, the study aims to clarify Germany’s healthcare preparedness for an aging population increasingly in need of early intervention and specialized care.

Also presented at the 2025 AD/PD conference, a multicenter study called re.cogni.ze evaluated the feasibility and impact of a certified digital self-assessment tool, neotivCare, for remote cognitive testing.² According to the findings, the study suggests that digital self-assessment tools could complement existing diagnostic methods, helping specialists detect cognitive decline earlier and more efficiently.

Traditional cognitive tests require trained personnel and lack the ability to track changes over time. The re.cogni.ze study assessed whether neotivCare, a remote self-assessment app, could address these limitations by offering repeated at-home testing and automated physician reports. Conducted across 27 neurologist and psychiatrist offices, 3 memory clinics, and 13 general practitioners in Germany, the study examined usability, adherence, and perceived value of the tool.

Of the 765 patients offered participation, 574 (75%) enrolled, with a mean age of 67 years. Nearly all participants (93%) completed the full 12-week assessment and discussed the results with their physicians. Among those assessed, 40% had composite scores below the validated threshold for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Both physicians and participants found the app user-friendly, with over 71% in agreement, whereas 80% of doctors and 67.6% of patients reported added value from the tool. Participants also rated self-testing and assessment time favorably, scoring 8.5 out of 10 on a Likert scale.

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REFERENCES
1. Köhler S, Boccardi M, Teipel S, Kilimann I. Realise: preparedness of German specialists and memory clinics to deliver early and accurate diagnosis of AD for disease-modifying treatment. Presented at: 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease (AD/PD); April 1-5. Vienna, Austria. Abstract 1180.
2. Düzel E, Bartels C, Czesnik D, et al. Remote digital self-testing for cognitive impairment: Results of the re.cogni.ze study on feasibility and acceptance of the neotivCare app. Presented at: 2025 International Conference on Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease (AD/PD); April 1-5. Vienna, Austria. Abstract 685.