Expanding Detection and Increasing Community Education and Services for Alzheimer Disease
A research collaboration (Hackensack Meridian Health and Eisai Inc.) to help address substantial unmet needs of individuals with Alzheimer disease (AD) has been initiated. This collaboration will focus specifically on mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
"We are proud to join forces with Eisai in our quest to expand early AD detection and improve community services for patients, caregivers, and families affected by the disease and other types of dementia," said Robert C. Garrett, Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), chief executive officer, Hackensack Meridian Health. "Hackensack Meridian Health's mission is to transform health care and this collaboration will help us to achieve our goals and benefit our communities.''
The expansion of early education, detection, and community services for individuals with AD and caregivers will be supported by the organizations. Emerging tools and technologic diagnostic solutions in real-world settings will be evaluated as well. Further enhancing care plans is the primary goal to support individuals with AD and their caregivers in each stage of AD and to contribute to accessible and reproducible multidisciplinary approaches for identification and management in early AD.
"The collaboration with Hackensack Meridian Health is an exciting next step in both organizations' legacy and leadership in discovering and providing solutions to people living with AD and other related dementias," said Alexander Scott, executive vice president, Integrity at Eisai. "As part of Eisai's human health care mission, we are dedicated to making a difference for patients and their families."
The Center for Memory Loss and Brain Health at Hackensack Meridian Hackensack University Medical Center offers screening, diagnostic, and treatment services for individuals with cognitive or memory impairment caused by AD and dementia. The collaboration is led by division chief of Geriatrics, Manisha Parulekar, MD, AGSF, FACP; chair and professor of Neurology and Neuroscience Institute, Florian Thomas, MD, PhD; chair and professor of Medicine, Laurie G. Jacobs, MD, AGSF, FACP; and chief medical officer of Hackensack University Medical Center, Lisa Tank, MD. All individuals hold faculty appointments at Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine.
"Both Hackensack Meridian Health and Eisai share a common goal to increase community awareness about the importance of early detection, especially in the earliest stages of cognitive loss before patients meet the criteria for a dementia diagnosis," said Dr. Parulekar. "This awareness will help improve the patient and caregiver journey for those living with memory disorders."