Eli Lilly and Company, in collaboration with leading Alzheimer’s disease (AD) specialists at this year’s Alzheimer Europe Conference, has issued a strong call to action for improved diagnostic pathways across Europe to ensure timely access to emerging therapeutic innovations.
Drawing on findings from the Adelphi Real World Dementia Disease Specific Programme™ (Adelphi DSP)—a multinational, cross-sectional survey involving clinicians treating patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease in France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom, Japan, and the United States—experts warn that AD and dementia remain critically underdiagnosed. This underdiagnosis prevents patients from accessing vital treatment and care options.
A study published in The Lancet further underscores the issue, noting that while new Alzheimer’s therapies demonstrate efficacy and safety on par with treatments for cancer, multiple sclerosis, and rheumatoid arthritis, significant improvements in healthcare infrastructure, care models, and funding mechanisms are needed to ensure equitable access.
“We find ourselves at a critical moment, where the decisions made now will shape the future of AD care in Europe,” said Professor Lutz Frölich, Head of the Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Central Institute of Mental Health, and Full Professor, Medical Faculty Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Germany. “Science has equipped us with the solutions to manage AD more effectively in its early stages, potentially reducing the disease burden. But this will only be possible if we can streamline diagnosis and make access to care timely and equitable for everyone affected by this progressive disease.”
Currently, Alzheimer’s disease affects approximately 6.9 million people across Europe, a number projected to nearly double by 2050 as populations continue to age.
Key Barriers to Timely Diagnosis Identified in the Adelphi DSP Survey
1. Limited Access to Biomarker Testing
Biomarker testing—which helps detect early, abnormal brain changes—is pivotal for accurate and early AD diagnosis. However, despite more than 70% of clinicians recognizing the importance of these tests, they remain underutilized. Across all countries surveyed, only 15.2% of patients underwent biomarker testing to confirm AD pathology, with Germany and the UK showing the lowest utilization rates.
2. Delayed Specialist Referrals
When patients are referred from primary care physicians (PCPs) to specialists, the median time to diagnosis doubles to five months. Spain and France reported the longest referral times, averaging six to seven months. In contrast, patients diagnosed directly by PCPs were identified faster—highlighting the critical role of primary care in early detection, assessment, and management.
3. Stigma and Lack of Awareness Delay Help-Seeking
According to the survey, 61% of specialists said stigma is the biggest barrier to early diagnosis, as patients often delay seeking help. Additionally, 43% noted that many individuals do not recognize the difference between normal aging and cognitive decline associated with AD. Common early symptoms—such as memory loss, reduced concentration, and difficulty recalling names or words—are typically first noticed by family members. However, stigma and misinformation continue to delay timely consultation and diagnosis.
“These findings paint a deeply concerning picture of AD diagnosis across Europe and are sadly reflective of the experiences of many patients and families we support, who are often left too long without answers,” said Jean Georges, Executive Director, Alzheimer Europe. “A carers' survey conducted in 2018 by our organization in the Czech Republic, Finland, Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK, found that the time to diagnosis from first symptoms took on average 2.1 years and 53% of carers felt that the diagnosis was made too late. If we want to ensure that people receive a timely diagnosis and support when it matters most, we need to implement the lessons from this research urgently and recognize AD as a policy priority, raise public awareness and combat stigma, increase medical training and the number of needed specialists, and improve access to innovative testing.”
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“Emerging therapies that target the pathology of Alzheimer's disease offer hope to slow progression and delay the need for care services. But this possibility hinges on early detection, as approximately one-third of individuals in early symptomatic stages of the disease will progress to more advanced clinical stages within one year,” added Dr. Stéphane Epelbaum, Associate Vice President, International Medical Affairs at Eli Lilly. “Timely and accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure patients can access the next generation of Alzheimer's disease care.”
For over 35 years, Eli Lilly has been at the forefront of Alzheimer’s disease research. The company remains committed to reimagining the future of AD care through collaboration with partners to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and diagnostic pathways—empowering people to live better, more independent lives.
