|  | Conditions Treatments | Alzheimers

Tests Used to Diagnose Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's disease is a progressive brain disease that destroys brain cells and causes dementia. Dementia describes a group of symptoms including memory impairment, personality and behavioral changes and a decline in cognitive functioning that interferes with daily life. There is no single test to accurately diagnosis Alzheimer's as of August 2009. The process to diagnose this disease includes several steps involving screenings, medical evaluations and tests to rule out other conditions that can cause dementia and to look for signs of brain abnormalities.

  1. Mental Status Tests

    • Mental status tests are given to diagnosis Alzheimer's by helping a physician to know if a person is aware of symptoms, has an understanding of time and space and has appropriate brain functionality. The mini-mental state exam is a test that uses a series of questions to determine the individual's range of mental skills. The person scores points by correctly answering questions involving memory, basic knowledge and simple calculations. The test results indicate if the individual has dementia and whether it is mild to severe. Another test used to evaluate mental status is the "mini-cog." This test has two tasks, (1) remembering, and, then a few minutes later, repeating the names of three everyday objects, and (2) drawing a circle to represent a clock that shows all 12 numbers in the correct place with a time requested by the examiner.

    Physical Diagnostic Tests

    • Physical diagnostic tests for Alzheimer's include an interview to learn the patient's medical history and health habits, a medical screening to find indications of underlying conditions and laboratory tests to find other health issues. The doctor will ask about medications, diet and use of alcohol. The patient's vital signs will be checked and blood and urine samples will be taken to look for signs of other ailments that could cause dementia-like symptoms.

    Neurological Exam

    • A person with suspected Alzheimer's disease may be referred to a neurologist for testing of his nervous system and brain. During the evaluation, the patient's coordination, speech, eye movement and reflexes are tested. The doctor will also look for indications of other illnesses or conditions that can cause brain disorders.

    Brain Imaging

    • Brain imaging is used to diagnose Alzheimer's by looking for abnormalities in the brain. Structural imaging with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) scans provide information regarding the position, shape or volume of brain tissue. Researchers are learning more ways to use brain scan technology that may help to diagnose Alzheimer's in the future. Scans using MRI's and PET's (positron emission tomography) can also measure changes in specific brain regions that could be early indicators of Alzheimer's.

    Significance

    • When Alzheimer's is suspected in an individual, it is important to start the testing process as early as possible. When Alzheimer's is diagnosed early, treatment options are generally more effective and may slow down the rate of decline. An accurate and early diagnosis provides the patient and their loved ones with more time to prepare for long-term care and to prolong independence as long as possible.

Alzheimers - Related Articles