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Diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease
Most primary care physicians are not comfortable making a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease themselves. They will often send your loved one to a neurologist or geriatric psychiatrist who specializes in diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias. These physicians use a series of tests and tools to evaluate thinking, behavior and physical function. There is no single scale that can definitively diagnose Alzheimer's Disease.
Some testing methods include:
- clock drawing test
- mini mental state examination
- functional assessment staging
Doctors may also conduct:
- medical and family history assessments
- blood and urine testing
- a brain scan to rule out other causes of dementia (like strokes)
- a psychiatric evaluation
- interviews with family and friends
Doctors will determine if a person has Alzheimer's Disease when these tests show that your loved one has:
- dementia confirmed by medical and psychological exams
- problems in at least two areas of mental functioning
- progressive memory loss
- symptoms begin between the ages of 40 and 90
It is important to remember that there is no single test for Alzheimer's Disease. Obtaining a diagnosis of this disease requires a comprehensive medical and psychological evaluation, possibly by several different medical providers. All other potential causes of the dementia must be ruled out before making a diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease.
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