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In: Hazzard's Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 10 early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's.How is Alzheimer's disease diagnosed? National Institute on Aging.Medical tests for diagnosing Alzheimer's.Clinical features and diagnosis of Alzheimer disease. Your care team can help you figure out ways to maintain independence, health and safety. Most people are able to remember 5 to 8 numbers in a row. This is a short test and does not have to be given by a doctor. 1 Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) A very basic and common cognitive test is the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE). The most common memory loss tests include the following. Type the numbers you see into the box below. As a final option, the doctor will suggest and/or perform cognitive tests. When a doctor tells you and your family members about an Alzheimer's diagnosis, they will help you understand Alzheimer's dementia, answer questions and explain what to expect. A popular working memory test that is used in many cognitive and neuroscience research labs. Expectations for future care and medical decisions.Options for residential and at-home care.Appropriate community services and resources.You'll have the chance to make informed decisions on a number of issues, such as: You may also be able to participate in clinical trials.Īlso, doctors can teach you and your caregivers about strategies to make your home safer, establish routines, plan activities and manage changes in skills to reduce how Alzheimer's dementia affects everyday life.Īn early diagnosis also helps you, your family and caregivers plan for the future. Doctors often prescribe drugs that may slow the decline in memory and other cognitive skills. If another treatable condition is causing the memory problems, health care providers can start treatments.įor those with Alzheimer's dementia, doctors can offer drug and nondrug interventions to manage symptoms. Knowing what you can do is just as important as knowing what you can't do. While there's no cure for Alzheimer's, an early diagnosis can still be helpful. These types of PET scans are typically used in the research setting. PET scans have recently been developed that detect clusters of amyloid proteins (plaques) or tau (neurofibrillary tangles), which are associated with Alzheimer's dementia. The pattern of metabolism change can distinguish between different types of degenerative brain disease. This scan can identify brain regions with decreased glucose metabolism. The most commonly used PET scan is a fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) PET scan.

A PET scan uses a radioactive substance known as a tracer to detect substances in the body. A CT scan uses X-rays to obtain cross-sectional images of your brain. An MRI uses powerful radio waves and magnets to create a detailed view of your brain. The brain-imaging technologies most often used are: Establish a baseline about the degree of degeneration.Distinguish between different types of degenerative brain disease.Rule out other causes, such as hemorrhages, brain tumors or strokes.