A Answers (14)
Mehmet Oz, MD, Cardiology, answeredNew advances in research can determine if you have Alzheimer's disease. Find out what the early signs of Alzheimer's disease are as Dr. Oz and researcher Dr. Murali Doraiswamy discuss diagnostic tests in this video.
Honor Society of Nursing (STTI) answered
Alzheimer's disease can only be diagnosed with complete certainty after death using an autopsy. However, by questioning those affected and their family members, combined with using lab tests and brain scans, doctors are able to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's nine out of ten times. Using questions to determine someone's level of brain function can be very effective, as well as talking to family members about the symptoms being displayed.
Alzheimer's is difficult to diagnose because there are several causes of dementia, but blood tests can be used to narrow down the possible causes. Similarly, brain scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) can be used to look for visual clues.
Doctors use a variety of methods and tests to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. They gather information through:
- Medical and family history
- Neurological tests, including memory and language tests
- Psychological tests
- Blood tests
- Radiology tests, including a computed tomography (CT) scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Part of diagnosing Alzheimer’s is ruling out other conditions that may cause memory loss. Once the evaluation is complete, a memory expert can evaluate the results and make a diagnosis. Although many patients view a memory evaluation as stressful, it does not have to be if you know what to expect. Familiarize yourself with the evaluation process to make the visit less daunting.
Eric Pfeiffer, Psychiatry, answeredOnly a doctor, preferably one who is a specialist in memory disorders can make a definite diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. In order to do so the doctor will need all of the following items:
- a detailed history of how memory problems have developed, obtained from both the patient and the caregiver
- a thorough general medical history
- a complete physical and neurological examination
- a battery of lab tests to include a complete blood count, tests of liver and kidney function, cholesterol and other lipid tests and a fasting blood sugar
- a standard cardiogram (EKG)
- at least one imaging study of the brain, preferably an MRI scan of the brain, or a CAT scan, or even better, a PET scan of the brain
- an assessment of the degree of memory deficit, using one of the memory screening instruments: the Mini-Mental Stratus Examination (Folstein MMSE) or the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (Pfeiffer SPMSQ)
- in selective cases, a full-scale neuropsychological evaluation by a psychologist
- still more selectively, certain genetic tests, and measurement of A beta 42 amyloid and tau protein, in cerebrospinal fluid, blood or urine
Alzheimer's Foundation of America answeredClinicians diagnose "probable" Alzheimer's disease by doing a thorough diagnostic workup. This can include a complete medical history; physical examination to find evidence of any underlying medical or neurological disorders that may be contributing to symptoms; neuropsychological tests that gauge memory, attention, language skills, and problem-solving abilities; laboratory tests that can include blood and urine samples; and brain imaging scans, such as a CT scan, MRI, SPECT, or PET scan, which can identify changes in brain structure or activity.
For Medicare beneficiaries, a new annual wellness visit (AWV) includes “detection of any cognitive impairment” as well as personalized prevention plan services. A health provider will assess cognitive impairment by direct observation and consideration of information obtained from patient reports and concerns raised by family members, friends, caregivers, or others. This provision, part of the new healthcare reform law, took effect January 1, 2011.
A beneficiary is entitled to an AWV by a primary care provider or other health provider after having Medicare Part B coverage for at least 12 months and not having had an AWV or the “Welcome to Medicare Visit” initial preventative physical exam within the past 12 months. There is no coinsurance or deductibles for the AWV.
The causes of dementia are complex; a complete clinical evaluation by a skilled clinician will identify the primary cause of dementia in more than 90% of cases. Clinicians diagnose Alzheimer’s disease as the cause of dementia in about 60% of individuals living with the disease.
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by two types of abnormal lesions in the brain: Beta-amyloid plaques, sticky clumps of protein fragments and cellular material that form outside and around neurons, and neurofibrillary tangles, insoluble twisted fibers composed largely of the protein tau that build up inside nerve cells. Although these structures are hallmarks of the disease, scientists are still unclear whether they cause it or are a by-product of it.
RealAge answeredA healthcare provider will likely use a variety of methods to arrive at a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). These diagnostic tools also help rule out other forms of dementia or health conditions that may produce dementia-like symptoms, such as alcohol abuse, blood vessel diseases, brain tumors, infections, medication interactions or side effects, mood disorders, neurological problems, thyroid disorders, or nutritional deficiencies. Doctors may use the following diagnostic tools:
- Evaluation of Symptoms. Healthcare providers rely on the patient and the patient's loved ones to provide a full description of symptoms, including what the patient is experiencing, when his or her symptoms began, and how frequently the symptoms occur.
- Medical History. Full disclosure of a patient's past and current medical conditions and procedures, surgeries, and traumas, as well as a complete list of his or her medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements is necessary to help narrow a diagnosis. Information about diet, lifestyle, and family history of disease also is important.
- Physical Exam. A physical exam may include evaluation of the heart, lungs, and blood pressure. The neurological component of the exam will assess reflexes, coordination, muscle function, speech, physical sensation, and eye movement.
- Psychological/Psychiatric Exam. Evaluation of emotional or mental conditions can help determine if an underlying mood disorder such as depression may contribute to symptoms.
- Lab Tests. A healthcare provider may test samples of blood, urine, or spinal fluid to help rule out other conditions that may be responsible for symptoms.
- Brain Scans. An MRI, CT scan, PET scan or other form of imaging helps healthcare providers detect any brain abnormalities that may indicate AD or other disorders.
- Neuropsychological Tests or Mental Status Exam. These tests detect and assess impairments in memory, language, comprehension, and reasoning skills.
A definitive diagnosis can only be achieved by conducting a biopsy of the brain but doctors can with good certainty determine whether or not the patient is suffering from Alzheimer’s through the use of tests.
Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed upon the exclusion of other neurodegenerative disease processes that may cause cognitive impairment or memory changes. The best way to be certain that the diagnosis is Alzheimer’s is to have some simple but specific tests that can be ordered by a qualified clinician that practices in the area of dementia. Typically these tests include neuropsychological testing that can localize areas of the brain where the deficits are occurring thereby helping the clinician identify other disease processes, blood tests that can eliminate deficiencies that can contribute to cognitive changes and Neuroimaging studies such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) which can reveal abnormal cellular activity in the brain. Currently there are no cures for Alzheimer’s disease but there are medications such as Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon) and Memantine (Namenda) that have had some success in slowing down the disease process.
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered
Alzheimer's patients have characteristic changes in the brain, but there is no single, comprehensive test for diagnosing the disease. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's by ruling out other conditions through a process of elimination. The only way to confirm a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is through autopsy.
When Alzheimer's disease is detected in its early stages, treatment can begin earlier and its effectiveness is increased as most medications currently available or in development can only slow the patient's descent into forgetfulness. Doctors at NewYork-Presbyterian are using a new brain imaging technique called quantitative diffusion tensor imagery to distinguish Alzheimer's from treatable disorders with similar symptoms such as normal pressure hydrocephaly. Doctors here also conduct genetic testing for the disease in people with a family history of Alzheimer's.
Alzheimer's disease is a clinical diagnosis. There are several types of dementia (disorder in memory). Alzheimer's for the most part is the diagnosis when other forms of dementia have been ruled out. There is a genetic test that can diagnose about 4 percent of the cases of dementia, but the majority of Alzheimer's patients do not have that gene.
Judith London, MD, Psychology, answered
Another problem in diagnosing Alzheimer's is that often there is more than one cause for the series of symptoms characteristic of dementia. Once the brain is compromised with something such as a small or major stroke, previous head injury, or oxygen interruption, the brain may be vulnerable to Alzheimer's, just as people with Alzheimer's may be more vulnerable to another brain condition that causes dementia.
In those cases, there is a mixed dementia that confounds a clear-cut diagnosis.
Discovery Health answered
The only certain diagnosis for Alzheimer's disease cannot be done until after death, when evidence of plaques, tangles and shrinkage of the brain can be seen.
For living patients, doctors may test various bodily fluids, such as urine, blood and spinal fluid.
A doctor might also use a brain scan, such as MRI, PET or CT scan, to look for unusual formations in the brain.
An interview also can provide useful information about memory and other health issues. Some simple tests can also help find out more about the patient's attention span, counting abilities and short-term and long-term memory.
Most importantly, a doctor needs to rule out other potential causes for the patient's problems, such as other forms of dementia, cognitive impairments, minor strokes or other conditions that can produce symptoms similar to Alzheimer's.
Medical history: Questions regarding general health and current medications will be asked. Past medical problems, including diseases and surgeries, will be discussed. Family members will usually be involved in the medical history process.
Mental status evaluation: A Mental Status Evaluation (MSE) screens memory, problem-solving abilities, attention spans, counting skills, and language skills. Questions such as "what day is it today?" or "who is the president of the United States?" may be asked. Recall tests are another example. Doctors may list familiar objects and then ask a person to repeat them immediately and again five minutes later. The Clock Drawing Test, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Functional Assessment Staging (FAST) are commonly used mental status evaluation tools for determining if AD is present. On the tests, the final score helps confirm a diagnosis of AD.
Brain scans: Doctors may want to take a picture of the brain using a brain scan. Several types of brain scans are available including computerized tomography (CT) scan, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and positron emission tomography (PET) scan. Doctors can pinpoint visible abnormalities in the brain using these imaging techniques. A CT scan uses x-rays to take many pictures of the brain and then combines the pictures by computer that provides a detailed picture. A CT scan can often show changes in brain structure. MRI's for AD diagnosis display a cross-section of the brain using radio waves and strong magnets instead of radiation. A contrast dye may be injected, although it is used less often with MRI's. PET scans involve the injection of radioactivity into the blood that goes to the brain. Images can then be analyzed for changes in function and structure of the brain. They may take longer than CT scans and the patient is placed inside a confining tube. CT, MRI, and PET are performed at a clinic or hospital. Some individuals will be sedated with mild sedatives (such as alprazolam or Xanax® or midazolam or Versed®). These medications may cause drowsiness and it is not recommended that the individuals drive. The individual should bring a friend or family member with them to the clinic or hospital.
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Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed after other conditions are ruled out. Your doctor will use a variety of tests to do this. It usually is helpful to have a family member or someone in close contact with the person present at the appointment. A family member may be able to provide the best information about how a person's day-to-day functioning, memory and personality have changed.
Initial tests: The doctor will use a medical history and physical exam to help find out if a physical problem may be causing the person's symptoms. Sometimes another problem can cause the same symptoms as Alzheimer's.
The person will also have a functional status exam and a mental health assessment. During these exams, he or she will be asked to perform simple tasks.
Lab tests: Lab tests may be done to rule out other possible causes of a person's symptoms, such as levels of certain minerals or chemicals in the blood, liver disease, abnormal thyroid levels or nutritional problems, such as folate or vitamin B12 deficiencies. Treatment for these conditions may slow or reverse mental decline.
Blood tests that may be done include:
- Complete blood count (CBC).
- Liver function tests.
- Folate (folic acid) test.
- Vitamin B12 concentration.
- Electrolyte and blood glucose levels (sodium, potassium, creatinine, glucose, calcium).
- Thyroid function tests.
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) test, if the person has risk factors for HIV or the medical history suggests it.
Imaging and other tests: Other tests include:
- Brain imaging tests, such as a computed tomography (CT) head scan or a magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the head.
- A lumbar puncture to test for certain proteins in the spinal fluid.
- An electroencephalogram, or EEG.
- Brain imaging studies, such as positron emission tomography (PET) or single photon emission tomography (SPECT).
In some cases, examining the brain after death is done if the family wants to confirm that the person had Alzheimer's disease.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. To learn more visit Healthwise.org
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Robin Miller, MD, Integrative Medicine, answeredAlzheimer's disease can easily be diagnosed. In this video, Dr. Robin Miller explains a simple phone test you can do to test for Alzheimer's.