Misconceptions of Alzheimer’s Disease

Misconceptions about Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are important to identify because they can interfere with treatment, caregiving, and understanding of the disease. The present study aimed to identify core misconceptions of AD and describe variations in endorsement of these misconceptions between groups (e.g., health care professionals vs. non–health care professionals); 2989 participants completed 10 items that assess AD misconceptions. There were notable differences in the prevalence of these misconceptions, which varied from 8% (prescription drugs can prevent Alzheimer’s disease) to 68% (reminder notes contribute to decline). Health care professionals were less likely to endorse that AD is a normal part of aging compared to non–health care professionals (13% vs. 16%). Understanding which misconceptions are most common is critical for designing and tailoring educational interventions.