§ Tim LoughtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) if he will list general practitioners who have piloted the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease; [100422]
(2) if he will publish the findings of the Technologies Advisory Group study into the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's in November 2001; [100423]
(3) on what basis the Technologies Advisory Group in his Department declined to recommend the CANTAB-PAL test technology for detecting early onset of Alzheimer's disease for assessment by NICE; [100421]
(4) how many people are diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each PCT area; [100547]
(5) what tests are available through the NHS to detect early onset of Alzheimer's disease. [100420]
§ Jacqui SmithInformation is not available about the number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in each primary care trust area. Research shows that about 5 per cent. of the population over 65 has dementia, and Alzheimer's disease causes about 60 per cent. of cases of dementia.
A number of different tests are available to detect the early onset of Alzheimer's disease. Consideration is being given to the possibility of guidance on methods for the early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, including the CANTAB-PAL test, in the context of a possible National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) clinical guideline on management of dementia generally. Decisions on topics to be referred to NICE are taken by Ministers on the basis of advice from the Advisory Committee for Topic Selection (previously the Technologies Advisory Group). Final decisions will be announced shortly.