However, medicine does not stand still: specialists from the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) have presented an innovative self-diagnostic tool that helps older people independently assess their cognitive health. This step is aimed at early detection of memory problems, which is critical for the timely start of therapy and prevention.
The scale of the problem in Germany is impressive: about 1.8 million people are already living with various forms of dementia, and in the vast majority of cases, it is specifically Alzheimer’s disease. According to statistics from the German Alzheimer’s Society, about 900 new diagnoses are registered daily. Expert forecasts are disappointing: if current rates continue, the number of patients could grow to 2.7 million by 2050.
Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive pathological process during which nerve cells in the brain gradually die off. Although the exact causes of this phenomenon remain a subject of scientific debate, research work is being conducted in an unprecedentedly intensive mode. A prime example of international cooperation is the European Union project ACCESS AD. 37 million euros have been allocated for the implementation of this program, which unites 30 research organizations. A key role in the project is assigned to the LMU clinic under the leadership of Professor Robert Perneczky, a leading specialist in psychiatry and geriatrics.
Scientific breakthrough and availability of new treatments
The year 2025 became a landmark for European medicine: the first drugs aimed at fighting Alzheimer’s disease were officially admitted for use in the EU. Although the Joint Federal Committee (G-BA) is still debating the degree of additional benefit of substances such as lecanemab, the head of the committee, Josef Hecken, emphasizes that the lack of formal “additional benefit” status does not mean the drug is useless. The scientific community eagerly awaits the conclusion on a second promising substance — donanemab.
Professor Perneczky views the introduction of new therapy as a true scientific triumph, but his main goal is to make these high technologies part of standard medical care for every patient. The ACCESS AD project is designed to create a unified support structure across Europe, covering the entire course of the disease. An important stage of this work was a model project in Munich, implemented with the support of the Bavarian Ministry of Health.
Testing in pharmacies: how to check memory on a tablet
One of the most practical initiatives was the installation of special tablets in 13 Munich pharmacies. Elderly clients can take an interactive test from the provider Medotrax on them, which takes twenty to thirty minutes. This tool does not provide a final diagnosis but allows for self-diagnosis and identifies changes in brain function that require specialist attention. Pharmacists note that the service is in great demand among the population over sixty. All data is transmitted to the university in anonymous form, and the participant receives the result almost instantly.
The list of pharmacies participating in the project includes both central districts and suburbs:
- Münchner-Kindl-Apotheke (Limesstr. 111)
- Isartal Apotheke (Pullacher Platz 8)
- Nauplia Apotheke (Säbener Str. 170)
- Ost-Apotheke (Josephsburgstr. 83)
- Fidelio-Apotheke (Freischützstr. 15a)
- Pfauen-Apotheke (Unterhaching, Parkstr. 27)
Testing points are also open in Gilching, Fürstenfeldbruck, Odelzhausen, Schwabhausen, Erdweg, Ismaning, and Unterföhring.
Home questionnaire: when should you see a doctor?
In addition to pharmacy tablets, Professor Perneczky‘s team developed a special 17-point questionnaire to assess subjective cognitive abilities. This test is intended for those who have begun to notice behavioral oddities or memory lapses. The scoring system is simple: between 0 and 4 points are awarded for each answer. If the total sum exceeds 22 points, doctors strongly recommend undergoing an in-depth examination.Professor Perneczky urges not to panic upon receiving a high score. Starting dementia is only one of the possible reasons for cognitive decline. The root of the problem may be hidden in depression or other treatable conditions. The main thing is not to ignore symptoms and seek consultation in time. A full list of supporting organizations is available on the LMU clinic website, and if questions arise regarding test results, the research group can be contacted directly by email (psy-predictom@med.uni-muenchen.de).
Latest Posts
