Misdiagnoses of Alzheimer's Disease

An incorrect diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease may occur because other diseases also cause symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease may be mistaken for various conditions.

Definition

• According to the National Institutes of Health, Alzheimer's disease is the most common type of dementia. Alzheimer's disease involves cognitive decline that may progress to the point that patients can no longer care for themselves.

Symptoms

• Symptoms of Alzheimer's disease may include memory loss, impaired speech and language ability, changes in personality, mood disturbances and behavioral disturbances. There is no cure for Alzheimer's disease, though medication may slow the progression of symptoms.

Misdiagnosis

• According to WrongDiagnosis.com, because Alzheimer's disease is common, it may be overdiagnosed, while other causes of dementia are not considered. Other causes of dementia may include Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, brain tumors, head injury, thyroid disease and stroke.

Types

• According to the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, symptoms of the early stages of Alzheimer's disease may be misdiagnosed as normal signs of aging. Other misdiagnoses of Alzheimer's disease may include depression, fibromyalgia, Lewy body dementia, multi-infarct dementia, Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease.

Considerations

• A study conducted by researchers from Vincent Healthcare, Inc in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and published in "The Nurse Practitioner" claims that by the year 2040 there will be approximately 9 million in the United States with Alzheimer's disease.