| There are many different Alzheimer's diagnostic tools | | | | Other areas that may be evaluated include the ability |
| used by today's doctors. Unfortunately, there is no one | | | | to make decisions, problem solving skills, and being able |
| diagnostic tool available that will make an official | | | | to plan effectively. The evaluator tallies up the score |
| diagnosis of this progressive based disease of the | | | | that the patient receives during the evaluation. If it is a |
| brain, but there are many tools that doctors may use in | | | | high score, it typically indicates that the subject that is |
| collaboration with one another in order to confirm a | | | | being tested has Alzheimer's disease. |
| diagnosis. | | | | Neurological Testing |
| Medical professionals actually use a large number of | | | | Individuals that are suspected of having Alzheimer's will |
| tests and tools in order to ensure that they are | | | | be issued various neurological tests. The results of |
| providing an accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. | | | | these tests will determine if the candidate has this |
| In most instances, an official diagnosis may be made | | | | progressive disease of the brain. The movements are |
| and is up to 90% accurate based on the tools used to | | | | often evaluated, the overall sensory functioning, and |
| evaluate patients. In this guide, you will be introduced to | | | | the coordination is often evaluated. Other areas that |
| a couple of these diagnostic devices and tests. | | | | are tested include the ability to walk correctly, the |
| Mental Status Evaluation | | | | reflexes, and the functions of the nervous system are |
| One of the first diagnostic tools used is the evaluation | | | | also evaluated. |
| of the patient's mental status. This tool consists of | | | | In many cases, neurological tests include physical |
| many different questions that a patient has to answer. | | | | observations, imaging procedures such as a MRI, CT |
| It works to evaluate the memory retention of the | | | | scan and even a PET scan. There are many different |
| patient, the level of concentration, and various cognitive | | | | Alzheimer's diagnostic tools used by today's doctors to |
| skills such as learning, attention span, and overall | | | | establish a confirmation in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's |
| perception. | | | | disease. |