Articles
Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease
Early signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia
Assessing memory problems and other symptoms
Brain imaging tests
Content
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia
Diagnosing Alzheimer's dementia
Ruling out other conditions
Testing memory loss and other symptoms
Mental status testing
Neuropsychological tests
Interviews with friends and family
Laboratory tests
Brain-imaging tests
Future of diagnosis
Benefit of an early diagnosis
Assessing memory problems and other symptoms
Brain imaging tests
Content
Early symptoms of Alzheimer's dementia
Diagnosing Alzheimer's dementia
Ruling out other conditions
Testing memory loss and other symptoms
Mental status testing
Neuropsychological tests
Interviews with friends and family
Laboratory tests
Brain-imaging tests
Future of diagnosis
Benefit of an early diagnosis
Interviews with friends and family
Doctors and other healthcare professionals may ask your family members or friends questions about you and your behavior.
Healthcare professionals look for details that don't fit with your former level of function. Family members or friends often can explain how your thinking skills, functional abilities and behaviors have changed over time.
These tests, the physical exam, your age and the length of time symptoms have been going on often are enough to diagnose Alzheimer's dementia. When the diagnosis isn't clear, your healthcare team may need to order more tests.
