In Germany, around 440,000 people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease every year. Early detection and treatment are very important for the further course of the disease. However, Alzheimer's disease is often diagnosed late or not clearly. Family doctors in particular face a major challenge: the symptoms are often difficult to recognize at the beginning. 

Project objective

The aim is to improve the early detection of Alzheimer's disease and reduce over- and misdiagnosis. In addition, general practitioners should receive rapid support. 

Study procedure

The VERF-AK project is establishing an expert interface between general practitioners and specialized diagnostic centers. The expert interface conducts an initial examination and provides information about further examination steps (including biomarker determination). Depending on the examination results and the patient's wishes, the patient is either referred to a memory clinic or referred back to their family doctor's practice with recommendations for further action. Participating patients, their relatives, and the professionals involved are then asked about their experiences with this new form of examination in interviews and questionnaires.

Project partners

Clinic and Polyclinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at the University Hospital Cologne

Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Göttingen University Medical Center

Institute for Social Medicine, Occupational Medicine & Public Health at Leipzig University

Institute for Medical Informatics, Statistics & Epidemiology at Leipzig University

Clinic for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy at Leipzig University

Institute for Public Finance & Public Management at Leipzig University

Professional Association of German Neurologists

Professional Association of German Specialists in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy

BAMER

Society for Efficiency and Quality in Health Insurance

German Alzheimer's Association

Health Network Cologne South