"Unaware: Millions of Americans Living with Undiagnosed Cognitive Impairment"

Two recent studies reveal that mild cognitive impairment, an early stage of dementia, is significantly underdiagnosed in people aged 65 and older, with only 8% of expected cases being diagnosed. This means approximately 7.4 million cases across the US remain undiagnosed. Early detection is crucial as mild cognitive impairment can be a precursor to Alzheimer's disease and may be caused by treatable factors. The FDA has approved a new drug, lecanemab, as the first disease-modifying treatment for Alzheimer's, offering hope for early-stage patients. Vigilance, formal assessments, and utilizing Medicare wellness visits are crucial in addressing this underdiagnosis.