Cognito Therapeutics is partnering with nonprofit organizations to “Change the D-Word,” which aims to eliminate the use of the potentially stigmatizing umbrella term “dementia.”
The term “dementia” is an umbrella term used to describe a variety of disorders that commonly cause irreversible cognitive decline. This includes the most common disease, Alzheimer’s disease, as well as vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, and frontotemporal dementia.
But the term “dementia” is considered inaccurate and stigmatizing, according to the Change the D-Word initiative, a nonprofit organization that has developed a language guide to encourage more specific terms.
Cognito Therapeutics, which last month secured $105 million in Series C to advance devices for neurodegenerative diseases, agrees. On April 8, the company announced that it would sign on to the “Change the D-Word” initiative, committing to “stop using the word ‘dementia’ in all internal and external communications.”
Cognito said it has already removed the term “dementia” from scientific materials, patient resources, clinical research communications, and public-facing content based on the initiative’s guide.
“The updated language is designed to be clear and non-discriminatory,” the biotech company added in the release.
“Retiring the term ‘dementia’ reflects our commitment to early engagement with clinicians and communication that supports more informed care decisions,” said Christian Howell, CEO of Cognito Therapeutics.
Mike Zendel, founder and advocate of the Initiative to Change the D-Word, added, “Choosing specific and respectful terminology helps reduce stigma and encourages early action, which is critical for individuals experiencing cognitive changes.”
