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Diagnosing Alzheimer's: How Alzheimer's is diagnosed
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
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
Laboratory tests
Brain imaging tests
Future of diagnosis
Benefit of an early diagnosis
Laboratory tests
You may need lab tests to rule out other conditions that cause symptoms similar to Alzheimer's dementia. For example, you might be tested for a thyroid condition or not having enough vitamin B-12 in the body.
A cerebrospinal fluid test may be recommended to help diagnose Alzheimer's. Amyloid and tau proteins can be measured in the fluid. The ratio of these proteins can help determine if you have Alzheimer's dementia. Most of the time, a cerebrospinal fluid test is not necessary for a diagnosis. But the test may be useful in some instances or if symptoms are rapidly getting worse.
