Introduction The dementia experience is not a monolithic phenomenon—and while core elements of dementia are considered universal—people living with dementia experience the disorder differently. Understanding the patterning of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) in the population with regards to incidence, risk factors, impacts on dementia care, and economic costs associated with ADRD can provide clues to target risk and protective factors for all populations as well as addressing health disparities. Methods We discuss information presented at the 2020 National Research Summit on Care, Services, and Supports for Persons with Dementia and Their Caregivers, Theme 1: Impact of Dementia. In this article, we describe select population trends, care interventions, and economic impacts, health disparities and implications for future research from the perspective of our diverse panel comprised of academic stakeholders, and persons living with dementia, and care partners. Results Dementia incidence is decreasing yet the advances in population health are uneven. Studies examining the educational, geographic and race/ethnic distribution of ADRD have identified clear disparities. Disparities in health and healthcare may be amplified by significant gaps in the evidence base for pharmacological and non‐pharmacological interventions. The economic costs for persons living with dementia and the value of family care partners' time are high, and may persist into future generations. Conclusions Significant research gaps remain. Ensuring that ADRD healthcare services and long‐term care services and supports are accessible, affordable, and effective for all segments of our population is essential for health equity. Policy‐level interventions are in short supply to redress broad unmet needs and systemic sources of disparities. Whole of society challenges demand research producing whole of society solutions. The urgency, complexity, and scale merit a “whole of government” approach involving collaboration across numerous federal agencies.

Background The What Matters Most (WMM) study was initiated to evaluate symptoms, AD-related impacts, treatment-related needs, preferences, and priorities among individuals with or at risk for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their care partners. The objective of this qualitative study phase was to identify a comprehensive set of concepts of interest that are meaningful to individuals across the AD continuum. Methods Interviews were conducted with 60 clinically referred individuals and care partners across 5 AD stages ( n = 12 each): group 1 (non-clinically impaired individuals with AD pathology), group 2 (individuals with mild cognitive impairment and AD pathology), group 3 (individuals with mild AD), group 4 (individuals with moderate AD and their care partners), and group 5 (care partners of individuals with severe AD). Interviews were conducted by experienced interviewers, audio-recorded, and transcribed. Dominant trends were identified in each interview and compared across subsequent interviews to generate themes or patterns in descriptions of AD symptoms, impacts, and desired treatment outcomes. Results All participants endorsed current issues related to memory; nearly all participants ( n = 55; 92%) across the five groups endorsed symptoms related to communication and language. Groups 1–3 reported an impact on mood/emotions ( n = 23; 64%) and a decrease in social activities or outgoingness ( n = 17; 47%). Current and future concerns reported by the overall sample included memory ( n = 48; 80%), dependence ( n = 40; 67%), and “other” concerns ( n = 33; 55.0%) (e.g., uncertainty about the future, burdening others). The most desired AD treatment outcomes were improvement or restoration of memory ( n = 40; 67%) and stopping AD progression ( n = 35; 58.3%). Group-level differences were observed in the symptoms, impacts, and desired treatment outcomes among patients and care partners across the AD continuum. Conclusions Cognitive functioning issues—particularly in memory and communication—are present even in preclinical and early-stage AD, including among those without a formal AD diagnosis. While the impacts of AD vary across the disease-severity spectrum, improved memory and disease modification were treatment outcomes considered most important to participants across all 5 AD stages. Neuropsychological assessments traditionally used in AD clinical trials may not evaluate the often-subtle concepts that are important to patients and care partners. Results from this study will inform the second phase of the WMM project—a quantitative study to elicit the relative importance of these concepts of interest to people at risk for and living with AD and their care partners.

Introduction:In this phase of the ongoing What Matters Most study series, designed to evaluate concepts that are meaningful to people affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD), we quantified the importance of symptoms, impacts, and outcomes of AD to people at risk for or with AD and care partners of people with AD. Methods: We administered a web-based survey to individuals at risk for or with AD (Group 1: unimpaired cognition with evidence of AD pathology; Group 2: AD risk factors and subjective cognitive complaints/mild cognitive impairment; Group 3: mild AD) and to care partners of individuals with moderate AD (Group 4) or severe AD (Group 5). Respondents rated the importance of 42 symptoms, impacts, and outcomes on a scale ranging from 1 (''not at all important'') to 5 (''extremely important'').John Winfield-Deceased (2022).

Introduction: Insight into the relationship between concepts that matter to the people affected by Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the clinical outcome assessments (COAs) commonly used in AD clinical studies is limited. Phases 1 and 2 of the What Matters Most (WMM) study series identified and quantitatively confirmed 42 treatment-related outcomes that are important to people affected by AD. Methods: We compared WMM concepts rated as ''very important'' or higher to items included in COAs used commonly in AD studies. Results: Twenty COAs designed to assess signs, symptoms, and impacts across the spectrum of AD were selected for review. Among these 20 COAs, only 5 reflected 12 or more WMM concepts [Integrated Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (iADRS), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living Inventory (ADCS-ADL), Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living Inventory-Mild Cognitive Impairment (ADCS-ADL-MCI), Alzheimer's Disease Composite Scores (ADCOMS), and Clinical Dementia Rating; Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR/CDR-SB)]. John Winfield: Deceased (2022).

Background The Alzheimer's Disease Patient and Caregiver Engagement (AD PACE) Initiative works to identify and measure treatment‐related needs, preferences, and priorities of individuals across the continuum of AD. In the What Matters Most (WMM) study, we identified concepts of interest among patients and care partners and derived 42 items from these concepts. Method Respondents were recruited primarily from US clinical sites and assigned by a clinician to one of five groups: (1) AD risk factors without subjective memory complaints (SMC), (2) AD risk factors and SMC, and (3) mild AD, and care partners of patients with (4) moderate AD or (5) severe AD. Survey was administered online. Items were individually rated using a 5‐point verbal rating scale from 1 (Not at all important) to 5 (Extremely important). Responses were analyzed by group. Care partners (groups 4 and 5) rated item importance for themselves, not as patient proxies. Result Two hundred seventy‐four respondents (50‐65 in each group) completed the survey. Among all respondents, 193 (70.4%) were female, 173 (63.1%) identified as white, and 221 (80.7%) had education beyond high school. Among the three patient groups, the minimum (maximum) mean importance rating for any item was 3.4 (4.6) indicating all items were at least moderately to very important. Among care partners of patients with more severe AD, the minimum (maximum) mean importance rating was 2.1 (4.4); most items were rated as at least moderately important. One item (driving) was rated as less than a little important in group 5. Five items were among the most important for all groups: taking medications correctly, not feeling down or depressed, not feeling anxious, worried or stressed, being able to stay safe, not feeling like a burden to others. Conclusion For SMC and mild AD patients and those at risk for AD, all items were important. Among care partners of more severe patients, most items were important, and one was unimportant. These results may indicate that the 42 items in the WMM survey capture symptoms and behaviors that are meaningful to patients and care partners and should be considered when evaluating impacts of potential AD treatments.