Exploring Expert Consensus on Diagnostic Approaches for Alzheimer’s Disease: A Cross-sectional Panel Study

Abstract

Background: Accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is essential for effective treatment and care planning. Objectives: The present study aimed to identify expert perspectives on the most important diagnostic approaches for AD. Methods: A single-round expert panel survey was conducted with 25 specialists in neurology, psychiatry, and geriatric medicine. Participants ranked a predefined list of diagnostic methods according to importance. Rankings were analyzed using descriptive statistics and measures of central tendency. Results: Neuroimaging methods, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET), were endorsed by 88% of participants as highly important. Neuropsychological testing, used to assess cognitive function and detect subtle deficits, was supported by 84% of experts. Biomarker analysis, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood-based markers, was recommended by 76%. Notable differences were observed between specialties: Neurologists placed greater emphasis on imaging, psychiatrists highlighted the role of cognitive assessments, and geriatricians favored a balanced combination of approaches. A new table summarizing participant demographics has been included to provide context for interpretation of findings. Conclusions: There was strong agreement among experts on several key diagnostic methods for AD, with some variation across specialties. These findings can inform clinical guidelines and promote multidisciplinary diagnostic strategies. Given the single-round design and absence of formal consensus measures, further research using iterative methods is needed to confirm these results.