The Role of the CARM Score in Advancing Alzheimer’s Disease Detection

In recent discussions surrounding Alzheimer’s disease (AD) detection, the Cognivue Amyloid Risk Measure (CARM) has emerged as a significant tool for clinicians. Developed by a team led by Dr. James E. Galvin, MD, MPH, a professor of neurology at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, the CARM score is designed to enhance the diagnostic process for Alzheimer’s disease in patients exhibiting cognitive impairment.

The CARM score integrates data from three cognitive subtests—adaptive motor control, visual salience, and shape discrimination—to estimate a patient's likelihood of having amyloid pathology, a key indicator in Alzheimer’s diagnosis. According to Dr. Galvin, who is also the chief scientific officer at Cognivue, the tool serves as a supplemental aid rather than a replacement for comprehensive clinical evaluations or confirmatory biomarkers.

"This tool doesn’t replace clinical evaluation or confirmatory biomarkers, but it adds meaningful value by helping clinicians better decide what the next step should be for their patients," Dr. Galvin stated in an interview with NeurologyLive on July 17, 2025. The CARM score utilizes machine learning and is scaled from 0 to 100, categorized into four risk thresholds, providing clinicians with a clear framework for interpretation.

Historically, the lack of accessible diagnostic tools has posed challenges for early detection of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly in settings with limited access to advanced imaging technologies like PET scans or lumbar punctures. The CARM assessment requires only ten minutes to administer, making it a practical option for primary care and memory care environments.

The CARM score was developed based on findings from the Bio-Hermes study, which revealed that nearly half of the patients diagnosed with early-stage Alzheimer’s had negative amyloid PET scans. This statistic underscores the necessity for more precise screening tools to minimize unnecessary testing and improve the accuracy of early detection efforts.

Dr. Galvin emphasized that the implications of the Bio-Hermes data extend beyond clinical utility; they suggest that employing the CARM score could enhance the efficiency of clinical trials, lower costs, and refine patient cohort selection based on the likelihood of amyloid pathology.

In the broader context of Alzheimer’s research, the CARM score represents a significant advance in the effort to identify patients who may benefit from specific therapeutic interventions or clinical trials. During the discussion, Dr. Galvin noted, "By identifying patients more or less likely to have amyloid pathology, it can improve trial efficiency and reduce costs."

The CARM score’s development reflects a growing recognition of the need for innovative approaches to Alzheimer’s care, particularly as the incidence of the disease continues to rise globally. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of individuals living with dementia is expected to reach 152 million by 2050, necessitating urgent advancements in detection and treatment methodologies (World Health Organization, 2023).

Furthermore, the CARM score aligns with the increasing emphasis on personalized medicine, enabling healthcare professionals to tailor interventions based on a more accurate understanding of a patient’s condition. As Alzheimer’s disease remains a pressing public health concern, tools like the CARM score may play a critical role in reshaping the landscape of diagnosis and treatment moving forward.

In conclusion, the introduction of the CARM score into clinical practice signifies a pivotal step towards improving the early detection and management of Alzheimer’s disease. As healthcare providers continue to seek innovative solutions in the face of rising dementia rates, the CARM score offers a promising pathway to enhance patient care and optimize treatment outcomes in this challenging field.

### Sources: - Galvin, J. E. (2025). Interview on CARM Score. NeurologyLive. - World Health Organization. (2023). Global Status Report on Dementia. - Bio-Hermes Study Data Report. (2023). University of Miami.

### Data Visualizations: - A graph depicting the correlation between CARM scores and PET scan results in early-stage Alzheimer’s patients could enhance the understanding of the tool’s efficacy. - Infographics summarizing the cognitive subtests used in the CARM assessment may provide visual clarity for readers unfamiliar with the methodology.