Improving the ability of primary care doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
Official title: Building Primary Care Workforce Capacity in the Dementia Diagnostic Process
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-11096089 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to help doctors better and more fairly diagnose Alzheimer's and related memory issues, especially for those who often get overlooked, so that everyone can get the support and treatment they need as early as possible.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $799,588 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AG087166-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11096089 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals experiencing cognitive concerns, particularly those from racial/ethnic minority groups or socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not experiencing cognitive concerns or who have already received a timely diagnosis of ADRD may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on enhancing the capacity of primary care providers to accurately and equitably diagnose Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD). It addresses the significant issue of missed and delayed diagnoses, which affect over 60% of individuals with cognitive concerns, particularly among racial and ethnic minorities and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. By implementing strategies in seven diverse primary care practices, the project aims to improve early detection and support for patients and their caregivers, ensuring timely access to treatment options and planning resources.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, improving patient care and outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that improving primary care workforce training can enhance diagnostic accuracy for various conditions, suggesting potential success for this approach in dementia care.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sideman, Alissa Bernstein — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Sideman, Alissa Bernstein
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Using health records and AI to improve dementia screening in primary care
A patient-friendly program uses existing medical records and smart computer tools to help doctors screen for memory problems earlier, especially for people aged 65 and up.
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Nurse practitioner care for older adults living with dementia
This project looks at whether different nurse practitioner primary care approaches help people 65 and older living with dementia—especially those in low-income, rural, or racial and ethnic minority groups—get more coordinated care and fewer emergency or hospital visits.
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Advancing Dementia Diagnosis in Primary Care
A project to help primary care doctors better identify the cause of cognitive problems like dementia earlier using a comprehensive toolkit.
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Strengthening primary care to improve dementia diagnosis
Aimed at helping primary care teams diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias earlier and more equitably, especially in diverse and underserved communities.
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Primary care checks and caregiver support to prevent neglect in people with dementia
This project will try a quick primary-care screening and a technology-based caregiver support program to help prevent neglect for people living with Alzheimer's and related dementias.
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Improving how primary care doctors diagnose dementia
This study is working to help doctors in primary care better diagnose Alzheimer's and related dementias by creating a helpful toolkit that makes it easier for them to spot the signs early, especially for patients showing changes in thinking or behavior.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.