| --> | | | | Doctors to See and Tests to Have |
| Alzheimer’s disease is a complex and | | | | Most people usually go to their general care physician |
| complicated illness, and its symptoms are frequently | | | | first. This is understandable — we generally feel |
| indicative of other disorders as well. As a result, the | | | | more comfortable speaking to someone with whom |
| diagnostic process for the disease can be messy and | | | | we already have a relationship. |
| complicated. | | | | However, it is a good idea to consult a neurologist or |
| Currently, the only definitive way to diagnose | | | | someone who primarily works with Alzheimer’s |
| Alzheimer’s disease is to examine brain tissue | | | | patients when seeking an accurate diagnosis. |
| for plaques and tangles. Unfortunately, so far, this can | | | | Since there is no one test to concretely determine |
| only be done in an autopsy. So you might be | | | | whether you have Alzheimer’s disease, most |
| wondering how is Alzheimer’s | | | | neurologists will conduct a variety of tests to rule out |
| diagnosed? | | | | other causes of your symptoms and to more |
| Well, doctors must conduct a thorough examination so | | | | confidently attribute your problems to |
| that they can rule out other possible causes of the | | | | Alzheimer’s. |
| symptoms you are experiencing. A diagnosis can be | | | | The following should be part of your diagnostic |
| considered possible if all other causes cannot be | | | | evaluation: |
| ruled out. It can be considered probable if all | | | | 1. Mini Mental Status Examination: |
| other causes have been ruled out. | | | | This generally consists of interviews and tests that are |
| Fortunately, specialists with extensive experience | | | | aimed at evaluating your level of cognitive functioning: |
| working with Alzheimer’s patients can diagnose | | | | these tests assess learning, attention, language, |
| Alzheimer’s with 80-90% certainty. | | | | memory, and reasoning ability. Other family members |
| Early Diagnosis — Don’t Waste Time | | | | may also be interviewed to gain additional insight into |
| Before Seeing a Doctor | | | | recent changes in memory, behavior, and personality. |
| According to Dharma Singh Khalsa, M.D., President and | | | | 2. Medical History: |
| Medical Director of the Alzheimer’s Research | | | | A questionnaire is used to understand past medical |
| and Prevention Foundation, it is important that you go | | | | problems, injuries, illnesses, chronic conditions, and |
| for a diagnostic examination as soon as symptoms | | | | medications you are currently taking. |
| appear. Dr. Khalsa has found that many of the | | | | 3. Mood Evaluation: |
| treatments currently available work best when an | | | | This assesses the presence of other issues such as |
| early Alzheimer’s diagnosis is made. | | | | anxiety or depression, which can cause |
| There are many other advantages to having | | | | Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. |
| Alzheimer’s diagnosed as early as possible. | | | | 4. Physical Exam: |
| First, early diagnosis helps patients and families plan for | | | | This generally evaluates hearing, vision, blood pressure, |
| the future. It gives them time to discuss care options | | | | and pulse rate. |
| while the patient can still be part of the decision-making | | | | 5. Lab Tests: |
| process. It also gives the patient time to get financial | | | | Blood and urine tests are conducted to rule out other |
| affairs in order while his or her mental functioning is still | | | | causes and conditions. |
| at a high level. | | | | 6. Neuroimaging: |
| Second, early diagnosis allows you to gain access to | | | | This is generally done by an MRI or CAT scan. These |
| the Alzheimer’s medications that are currently | | | | tests let your doctor identify any abnormalities in your |
| available. Several drugs have been approved by the | | | | brain. They can help identify changes in brain structure |
| FDA to treat Alzheimer’s symptoms, but they | | | | that are commonly exhibited in Alzheimer’s |
| are generally more effective when taken in the early | | | | patients. They can also show the presence of brain |
| stages of the disease. | | | | tumors, blood clots and strokes — this is very |
| Third, early diagnosis allows you to participate in | | | | useful in helping to rule out other causes of poor |
| experimental Alzheimer’s drug and treatment | | | | mental functioning. |
| studies. Right now, more than 200 clinical studies are | | | | While doctors are still looking for a more conclusive |
| underway testing new drugs and treatment methods. | | | | test to definitively answer the question how is |
| Most of these studies prefer to work with | | | | Alzheimer’s diagnosed?, current practices |
| Alzheimer’s patients in the earliest stages of the | | | | are very accurate, even if they are lengthy and time |
| disease. | | | | consuming. |