“We should never underestimate the importance of an accurate diagnosis.”

In this episode of PanaCME Perspectives: Clinical conversations in Alzheimer’s disease, Prof. Jonathon Schott (UCL Dementia Research Center and Chief Medical Officer for Alzheimer’s Disease Research UK) joins Dr John Harrison to walk through a step-by-step guide to diagnosing Alzheimer's disease in 2026 and beyond. They explore:

• Why an accurate diagnosis matters, and why uncertainty is often worse than bad news.
• The new era of disease‑modifying treatments: what they actually do, who might benefit, and the current reality of access in the UK.
• Insights from the world’s longest‑running birth cohort study, on how lifestyle factors and genetics shape late‑life cognition
• Prevention and “brain health”: how up to 40% of dementia may be preventable, and what that really means for midlife lifestyle habits and risk communication
• The practical frontline challenge: what GPs can realistically do in a 10‑minute consult; when to refer, and why hearing from someone who knows the patient well is critical
• The role of MRI, CT, blood-based biomarkers, and digital tools
• How to talk to patients and caregivers about diagnosis, risk and prognosis in ways that support, rather than overwhelm, everyone involved

It’s a grounded but hopeful conversation that connects cutting‑edge science with everyday clinical reality; essential listening for anyone interested in brain health or involved in cognitive healthcare.

Guest: Professor Jonathon Schott

Professor Jonathon Schott is Professor of Neurology at UCL’s Dementia Research Centre, an Honorary Consultant Neurologist at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, and the Chief Medical Officer for Alzheimer’s Research UK. His clinical practice and research are centred on dementia, with a focus on early accurate diagnosis, detection of pre-symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease, and promoting healthy cognitive ageing

Host: Dr John Harrison

Dr John Harrison is a chartered psychologist at Metis Cognition, where he advises drug developers and institutions on cognitive testing in therapeutic development programmes. He is an Associate Professor at the Alzheimer’s Center Amsterdam, where he validates new cognitive testing paradigms for use with individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease.

To watch the full video episode, and for more independent educational resources from PanaCME, visit: www.panacme.education.