Using Digital Screening in Primary Care Promises Earlier Detection and Management of Dementia

Recent research from Indiana University School of Medicine highlights the potential of digital cognitive testing during routine primary care visits to facilitate early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia in older adults. A series of three studies demonstrated that implementing brief digital assessments via iPads in primary care settings not only identified patients with cognitive impairment but also prompted timely referrals for specialist evaluation and care planning.

In the first study, published in the Annals of Family Medicine, over 1,800 patients aged 65 and above underwent a five-minute digital screening at seven clinics across Indiana. Approximately 14% of these patients showed signs of cognitive impairment and were referred for further testing. Among these, around 2% received a new diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or related dementia, while 5% were identified as mildly cognitively impaired. The majority—about 63%—were referred to the IU Health Brain Health Navigator program for additional screening and intervention.

A companion study explored clinicians' experiences with the digital assessments, revealing that full integration into clinical workflows in some clinics led to more conversations about brain health that were previously infrequent or absent. The third study emphasized that early detection can significantly improve health outcomes, reducing risks such as falls and hospitalizations, while alleviating caregiver stress and financial burdens.

Expert insights from Dr. Diana Summanwar and Dr. Nicole Fowler suggest that digital cognitive assessments can be seamlessly incorporated into routine primary care, supporting early diagnosis and personalized treatment approaches. However, they stress that successful implementation requires adaptable workflows tailored to each clinic’s culture and resources.

The research team plans to further explore technological advancements, including machine learning algorithms that could identify risk factors and facilitate automatic referrals, broadening the use of digital tools in cognitive health management.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-06-digital-screening-primary-earlier-dementia.html