Screening older adults in Germany for early memory and thinking problems
Tests early screening for memory and thinking problems in adults 60 and older.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: COGSCREEN II: Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment
Key facts
- Where
- München, GermanySee the site
Where in Germany
- Klinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie am LMU KlinikumMünchen, GermanyTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Robert Perneczky
- Trial code
- NCT07466394
- Record updated
- 12 March 2026
- Original description
While knowledge about dementia and its causes is increasing rapidly, healthcare systems remain ill-equipped to detect cognitive decline in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, improving the early identification of AD in the population is a prerequisite for dementia prevention and providing future disease-modifying treatments for individuals most likely to benefit. Subjective cognitive deficits (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may indicate prodromal AD, even in the absence of functional impairment; in conjunction with an AD-typical biomarker profile (such as abnormal protein markers in the cerebrospinal fluid, CSF), the risk of further cognitive decline increases significantly. Offering cognitive screening to individuals with SCD or MCI may therefore open a window of opportunity for early interventions.Read full original descriptionShow less
German: COGSCREEN II: Früherkennung Kognitiver Störungen Durch Screeningverfahren Von Haus- Und Fachärzten Bei Senioren in Deutschland English: COGSCREEN II: Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment Through Screening Procedures by General Practitioners and Specialists in Older Adults in Germany (DAC AccDx Munich Site)
While knowledge about dementia and its causes is increasing rapidly, healthcare systems remain ill-equipped to detect cognitive decline in the early stages of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, improving the early identification of AD in the population is a prerequisite for dementia prevention and providing future disease-modifying treatments for individuals most likely to benefit. Subjective cognitive deficits (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may indicate prodromal AD, even in the absence of functional impairment; in conjunction with an AD-typical biomarker profile (such as abnormal protein markers in the cerebrospinal fluid, CSF), the risk of further cognitive decline increases significantly. Offering cognitive screening to individuals with SCD or MCI may therefore open a window of opportunity for early interventions.
Currently, there is no system in place for targeted, standardized identification of cases with minimal cognitive decline in Germany or worldwide, hindering efforts to detect neurodegenerative and other causes of cognitive impairment in large segments of the population. The lack of a robust approach for detecting early changes with acceptable accuracy outside of specialist clinics results in disappointingly low diagnostic rates. This is despite evidence showing that structured case finding programs can significantly improve the early detection of cognitive decline.
This project will build on an existing network of general practitioners (GPs) and specialists in private practice (neurologists, psychiatrist and geriatricians). The investigator's efforts will aim to strengthen and expand this network, resulting in a larger pool of doctors in the community who have specialized knowledge and a strong commitment to the care of people with dementia. Over the course of the project, the investigators will introduce participating physicians to proprietary digital cognitive tests and blood-based biomarkers (provided by Roche). Building on the success of the ongoing COGSCREEN project, which deploys a community-based recruitment strategy (project number 22-0786), this initiative will equip the Munich healthcare system with the necessary tools to effectively identify individuals most likely to benefit from upcoming disease-modifying treatments for AD. This will serve as a template for the implementation of a precision medicine approach to early diagnosis of AD in Germany and beyond.
Inclusion: Male or female ≥ 60 years of age at the time of consent; Able to understand and voluntarily sign an informed consent according to the judgment of the practice team.
Exclusion: Prior diagnosis of dementia (with or without evidence of pathology) as documented in the medical record and/or diagnosed by a physician; Subjects who are unable to hear or see well enough to complete the assessments.