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Attitudes of Neurologists Toward the Use of Biomarkers in the Diagnosis of Early Alzheimer’s Disease

Authors :
Juan Fortea
Elena García-Arcelay
Ángeles Terrancle
Blanca Gálvez
Verónica Díez-Carreras
Pablo Rebollo
Jorge Maurino
Guillermo Garcia-Ribas
Source :
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. 93:275-282
Publication Year :
2023
Publisher :
IOS Press, 2023.

Abstract

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) biomarkers reflect key elements of pathophysiology and improve the diagnostic process. However, their use in routine clinical practice is still limited. Objective: We aimed to assess neurologists' barriers and enablers to early AD diagnosis using core AD biomarkers. Methods: We conducted an online study in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Neurology. Neurologists answered a survey exploring their attitudes towards AD diagnosis using biomarkers in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild AD dementia. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to determine the association between neurologists’ characteristics and diagnostic attitudes. Results: We included 188 neurologists with a mean age (SD) of 40.6 (11.3) years, 52.7% male. Most participants had access to AD biomarkers, mainly in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (89.9%,#x0025;, n = 169). The majority of participants (95.2%,#x0025;, n = 179) considered CSF biomarkers useful for an etiological diagnosis in MCI. However, 85.6% of respondents (n = 161) used them in less than 60% of their MCI patients in routine clinical practice. Facilitating patients and their families to plan for the future was the most frequent enabler for the use of biomarkers. Short consultation time and practicalities associated with the programming of a lumbar puncture were the most common barriers. A younger neurologist age (p = 0.010) and a higher number of patients managed weekly (p = 0.036) were positively associated with the use of biomarkers. Conclusion: Most neurologists had a favorable attitude to the use of biomarkers, especially in MCI patients. Improvements in resources and consultation time may increase their use in routine clinical practice.

Details

ISSN :
18758908 and 13872877
Volume :
93
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Alzheimer's Disease
Accession number :
edsair.doi...........b25020fa3b956146c259e679f7947204
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3233/jad-221160