Fewer than 10% of MCI cases due to Alzheimer's disease are currently identified in primary care in Germany. Refer-MCI evaluates whether the CE-certified digital self-assessment app neotivCare can improve the accuracy and timeliness of referrals from outpatient specialist care to memory clinics.

In this multicentric study, 500 participants (aged 60–80) with memory complaints are recruited across ~25 specialist practices and referred to 10 university memory clinics. Participants complete unsupervised, remote weekly neotivCare testing at home over 12 weeks, with referral decisions documented before and after app-based results. All undergo standardized reference assessment (CERAD, MMSE) and blood biomarker testing (P-tau217); a subsample completes phone-based speech biomarker assessment from k:i elements.

The primary endpoint is improvement in correct referrals versus usual care. Preliminary findings show capacity challenges in specialist offices, highlighting the need for streamlined onboarding and earlier referral from primary care.