Perspectives of patients and care partners on benefits or burdens of delaying dementia progression

Recent advances in disease-modifying therapies for persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild stage dementia caused by Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) reduce amyloid in the brain and delay progression of functional decline. While experts debate the magnitude and duration of these innovative therapies’ benefits, patients and families are considering starting treatment. In this new era of AD treatment, in order for physicians to facilitate shared decision-making they must understand if and when disease-modifying therapies are likely to achieve patients’ goals. We explored patient and family care partner perspectives on the goals of AD treatment.

Alzheimer’s Association

Carolyn Chow, Maayra I Butt, Jasmine A Silvestri, Tamar Klaiman, Kristin Harkins, Jason Karlawish, Catherine L Auriemma