Tests for Dementia

Learning about a person's medical history, conducting mental and physical exams and interpreting lab and imaging tests all help to diagnose dementia and show its cause. Recognizing symptoms also can help to distinguish between types of dementia.

Identification

• Tests for dementia will determine the type of dementia a person may have, whether it is reversible and how it may be treated.

Types

• Different types of dementia can occur based on the area of the brain that is affected--the cerebral cortex or the region underneath the cortex. Examples include frontotemporal, Alzheimer's disease, vascular and multi-infarct.

Considerations

• If tests show dementia is caused by things such as removable tumors, drug abuse, metabolic disorders or hypoglycemia, the disorder may be completely or partially curable.

Medical History

• A thorough examination of a person's medical, physical and mental history will include an assessment of any medications being taken, a review of any events that could have contributed to memory loss and activities that include word repetition, counting backwards and confirming the date and year.

Lab and Imaging Tests

• Common lab tests that can determine causes of dementia include glucose, complete blood count, vitamin B12, thyroid hormone, toxicology and chemistry screenings. Imaging tests such as MRIs and CT scans are used routinely to look for strokes, tumors and normal-pressure hydrocephalus.