By Carly Harrington, Knoxvillebiz.com
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
What if you could go to your computer and with a click of a mouse take an online test that would aid in the early detection of Alzheimer's disease?
Through their business Medinteract LLC, Knoxville neurologist John Dougherty Jr. and his son, Andrew, have teamed up to do just that with ALZselftest.
"We are empowering individuals to take care of their own brain health just as a person would have a mammogram or a man a PSA to screen for prostate cancer. This test helps with the early detection of Alzheimer's disease, which is so important to ensuring you get the best treatment options," said John Dougherty, medical director of the Cole Neuroscience Center at the University of Tennessee Medical Center.
The online test, which launched this month at www.alzselftest.com, evolved from a paper version that was created by Dougherty in 2002. It aims to provide an accessible and easy-to-use test that can not only identify cognitive impairment but zero in on specific areas that need improvement.
Clinical trials that began in January have proven the test to be 98 percent accurate in identifying early signs of impairment, Dougherty said.
Dougherty said the adjustment can be significant for seniors who may be uncomfortable with computers and the Internet, but the medical opportunities can be vast.
"It just opens the horizon tremendously. We've got to do the same for clinical medicine," he said.
For those uncomfortable with their computer skills, the test, which costs $19.95, has audible directions or can be taken with the aid of a friend or family member.
If Alzheimer's is postponed by three to five years, it could have a major impact, Dougherty said. Sixty percent of people with early signs of Alzheimer's are not diagnosed until they are past the early stages, when treatment options are best.
"You don't have to cure the disease. It's a disease of such late in life if you prevent the symptoms by three to five years you could reduce the number of folks with Alzheimer's by the metropolitan population of Atlanta by almost one-half," he said.
While other tests exist, most concentrate on memory, which is not the complete picture, Andrew Dougherty said.
The father and son team say they have identified a specific pattern for Alzheimer's disease and believe they can use that to identify patterns that might help with other types of dementia.
"There's numerous specialities throughout the medical industry that we've identified as possible growth avenues," Andrew Dougherty said.
"Not only is it a good business, it also does good for the general public," he added. "It's something we're very passionate about from a professional perspective."
Business writer Carly Harrington may be reached at 865-342-6317.