#Alzheimer's Policy Working Group #Digital Cognitive Assessments #Blood-Based Biomarkers

Modernizing Alzheimer's Diagnosis and Care

On January 7, 2026, a coalition of top clinicians from reputable medical institutions unveiled the Alzheimer's Policy Working Group, a voluntary interdisciplinary body aimed at improving the early diagnosis and care of Alzheimer's disease. This initiative responds to the pressing need for reforms in a healthcare system where many patients remain undiagnosed or face long wait times before receiving specialist attention.

A Call for Change

The Alzheimer's Policy Working Group consists of leading clinicians, including neurologists and geriatricians, who have come together to address the significant challenges in current Alzheimer's care. Their inaugural report articulates a series of actionable recommendations designed to empower primary care providers in better diagnosing and managing Alzheimer's disease. These recommendations stem from firsthand experiences in patient care, the establishment of interdisciplinary teams, and the development of innovative care models achieving impressive outcomes across various states.

Innovative Tools and Techniques

In particular, primary care physicians associated with the University of Kansas Health System have successfully implemented blood-based biomarker tests and established structured workflows that have augmented their diagnostic capacities by an impressive 60%. Similarly, a collaborative team of dementia specialists and primary care providers from the University of Washington developed a set of training tools and resources that led to a doubling of early dementia diagnoses across 14 community clinics. Additionally, Indiana University's