Researchers analyzed data from more than 422,000 patients and found a stark disparity in Alzheimer's care between urban and rural communities in Maryland. Rural regions often lack hospitals and dementia specialists. Elderly patients are therefore forced to travel longer distances for diagnosis and treatment. Researchers have identified areas with high mortality rates from Alzheimer's disease. However, they surprisingly recorded a low diagnosis rate there. This suggests that many cases of the disease may not be identified at all.