On September 5, the first public roundtable “Challenges in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease” was held in a hybrid format in Moscow. The event was organized with the support of Egis, a key partner in this initiative aimed at developing systemic solutions to improve care for patients with dementia.

The roundtable served as a unique platform for collaboration between government representatives, leading neurologists and psychiatrists, and patient and charitable organizations working in the field of neurodegenerative diseases.

The goal of the roundtable was not only to discuss existing challenges but also to develop practical, actionable solutions that could form the foundation of a sustainable care model for people living with Alzheimer’s disease. Discussions focused on early diagnosis, patient pathways, access to therapy, and the critical role of regional healthcare systems in implementing effective practices.

Moderators of the event:

• Yan Vlasov and Yury Zhulev, Co-Chairs of the All-Russian Union of Patient Associations
• Olga Tkacheva, Chief Geriatrician of the Russian Ministry of Health and Director of the Russian Gerontological Scientific and Clinical Center at Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University

Alzheimer’s disease is more than a medical diagnosis—it is a profound challenge for millions of families facing the daily realities of memory loss, personality changes, and the loss of independence in their loved ones.

According to Olga Tkacheva, “Current estimates suggest that over 1 million people in Russia are living with Alzheimer’s disease. Unfortunately, this number is expected to rise significantly due to the aging population. By 2050, the number of dementia patients in Russia could reach 4 million.”

Participants identified key barriers to effective care, including late-stage diagnosis, the absence of a unified referral system to specialized care, and unequal access to treatment across regions due to shortages in personnel and equipment. Special attention was given to the development of a national anti-dementia plan, the creation of “memory clinics,” the expanded role of neurologists and psychiatrists, and the economic implications of dementia care.

Svetlana Shport, Chief Psychiatrist of the Russian Ministry of Health, highlighted the integration of psychiatric services into primary care. In several regions, medical-psychological counseling offices have been established, offering support from psychiatrists and medical psychologists. Additionally, medical-social offices are being developed to provide psychological assistance under the national health insurance system. These initiatives aim to improve access to care and create personalized patient pathways.

A successful case study from the Republic of Tatarstan was presented a regional project of memory clinics within the Republican Clinical Diagnostic Center, where patients can receive early-stage cognitive care. This experience sparked active discussion about scaling similar practices across other regions.

Yan Vlasov emphasized that active aging is now part of the national agenda. “The state’s responsibility is not only to ensure life expectancy but also to create conditions for a high quality of life. A series of civil and expert discussions is now underway to develop solutions for patients with neurodegenerative diseases. These efforts require the involvement of government bodies, professional communities, and civil society,” he said.

Egis views its participation in the roundtable as the beginning of a long-term partnership with the patient community. The company believes that only through joint efforts can an effective and accessible system of care for people with Alzheimer’s disease be built.

Olga Dukhanova, General Director of Egis-RUS, underlined the importance of collaboration: “We believe that sustainable healthcare solutions are only possible through open dialogue between HCPs, regional specialists, patient communities, government authorities, and the business sector. The patients must be at the center of this system, and their voice must be heard. We thank all participants for a meaningful discussion and see this event as an important step toward joint action in the interests of people living with Alzheimer’s disease and their families.”

Photo and video materials: https://forum-vsp.ru/cognitive1/