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