The UK National Screening Committee (UK NSC) has upheld its recommendation against screening everyone aged 65 and over for dementia.

Following a review of available evidence, the Committee decided that the current test for dementia, which is a form of questionnaire, does not accurately identify those people who have dementia and those who do not.

To recommend screening, the Committee would need to be confident that by acting early, treatments would slow or even prevent this serious disease. At the moment these treatments do not exist.

Alzheimer’s Society has responded to the Committee’s decision in a statement to the press. Chief Executive at the organisation, Jeremy Hughes said: “Everyone with dementia has the right to know about their condition and tackle it head on, but the UK National Screening Committee are right that until tests are more accurate and the right treatments are available, population screening for dementia amongst all over 65s remains inappropriate.”

However, Alzheimer’s Society does support a case finding approach where clinicians ask those who are at a higher risk of developing dementia if they are concerned about their memory. If they are concerned, people would then be referred for appropriate tests.

“This is a vital step towards raising our historically low diagnosis rates. A timely diagnosis can open the door to treatments and support and give people time to plan for the future,” commented Hughes.