When and how dementia gets diagnosed
Predictors and consequences of the timing and accuracy of clinical dementia diagnosis
This project looks at why people with Alzheimer’s and related dementias are diagnosed early or late and what those timing differences mean for their care and outcomes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rush University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11258036 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would learn whether your dementia was diagnosed close to when symptoms began or much later and what factors made that more or less likely. The team analyzes medical records and other healthcare data to find who is missed or diagnosed late and why that happens. They will compare long-term health, healthcare use, and costs for people diagnosed early versus late to see benefits or harms. The researchers aim to spot disparities and guide better diagnosis and follow-up care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are older adults with memory or thinking concerns, people with a clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s or related dementia, or those whose cognitive testing and medical records could be reviewed.
Not a fit: People without cognitive symptoms, those with non-dementia conditions, or individuals whose healthcare data are not available to the researchers are unlikely to benefit directly.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could help doctors diagnose dementia at the right time and improve the care and resources patients receive after diagnosis.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown that dementia is often underdiagnosed and that diagnostic timing varies by patient groups, but linking timing to long-term patient outcomes and harms or benefits is less well established.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, United States
- Rush University Medical Center — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: James, Bryan David — Rush University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: James, Bryan David
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 below.