There are a number of test procedures carried out to diagnose a person with Alzheimer's disease, including clinical and cognitive evaluations, blood tests and brain imaging. While some are done to aid the initial suspicion of Alzheimer's disease,...
Alzheimer's is a progressive and fatal brain disease that as many as 5.3 million Americans currently live with, according to the Alzheimer's Association. While no cure currently exists the Texas Department of State Health Services states that a...
Alzheimer's disease is a neurological disease that is often confused with aging in its early stages, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Finding effective testing methods is essential for detecting Alzheimer's disease early and...
The Mini-Mental State Examination, or MMSE, is the most commonly used screening test for Alzheimer's disease, according to the Fisher Center for Alzheimer's Research Foundation. It is not, however, the only mental status test available to a...
Although a full evaluation of a person with suspected Alzheimer's disease includes blood tests and neuroimaging, and is normally carried out by a specialist, there are a number of simple, quick tests that can be carried out in the primary...
A number of tests can be performed when it is suspected that a person has Alzheimer's disease. A correct diagnosis can help guide therapy according to a person's needs. A full diagnosis usually starts with the patient's primary physician and is...
Alzheimer's disease is a progressive and incurable form of dementia that is ultimately fatal. Alzheimer's disease typically affects the elderly although some forms of the disease can affect people under the age of 65 (typically termed early onset...
There is no clinical test to diagnose Alzheimer's Disease, or AD, and a definitive diagnosis can be made only upon autopsy. As a result, physicians use neuro-psychological assessments of cognitive function to determine possible or probable AD....
Currently, assessment for Alzheimer’s disease includes using brain scans and cognitive function tests. While these help give a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer’s, there may be doubts that it is another type of dementia. A blood test...
Alzheimer's disease is a chronic and incurable form of dementia, and is ultimately fatal. Although its exact cause is not completely understood, it is thought to be related to problems with a protein known as A-beta which has an unknown natural...
According to Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, dementia--an acquired deterioration in cognative abilities--impairs activities of daily living, like feeding ourselves, bathing, dressing, and grooming. Dementia, a syndrome that has many...
Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia. It's a progressive, degenerative disease of the brain for which there is no cure (as of 2009). Alzheimer's disease slowly destroys the brain, leaving people unable to care for themselves and affecting...
Recently, scientists have discovered a new form of cataracts that can be linked to the development of amyloid plaques in the brain. Cataracts are formed by abnormal proteins on the lens, which is responsible for focusing light on the retina. These...
Alzheimer's disease is characterized by the disruption of nerve cells by plaques and tangles that develop in the brain. The causes of this disease are not well understood. There is some evidence, however, that points to risk factors that may...
Everyone can be forgetful at times, but as seniors age, impaired memory and cognitive function can be signs of Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimer's disease is a progressive, degenerative neurological condition that causes symptoms of forgetfulness,...
DHEA, or dihydroepiandrosterone, is a hormone produced in the adrenal glands, which sit atop the kidneys and secrete a variety of hormones, including adrenalin. Interest in DHEA is related to the fact that its levels peak in the body between the...
The clock test, also called the clock draw test, is one of several tests used to determine if a patient suffers from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. At least two common versions of the clock test exist, and the choice to use a particular...
The human brain is like a muscle in the sense that it responds positively to exercise and tends to atrophy when not used. This tendency is strong enough to result in lower rates of Alzheimer's disease among the highly educated, reports Margie...
Bacteria feeding on the oily components of sweat cause most body odors, but an unusual fishy smell could have other causes. If the odor occurs after taking vitamins, you may be taking too much B-complex vitamin supplement. The odor-producing...
As the world's population continues to see an increase in lifespans, the search for drugs and supplements to improve age-related memory and concentration problems is more intense than ever before. Although there is no one "magic pill" that will...
Brain atrophy and cerebral atrophy are terms used when there is a loss of tissue in the brain. This means there is a loss of brain cells and, in some cases, a loss of nerve conduction between cells. Atrophy can affect the entire brain or be...
Vitamin B-12 is a large, complex molecule needed by your body for healthy metabolism, cognition, short-term memory, nerve conductance and red blood cell production. B-12 deficiency causes anemia characterized by malformed and dysfunctional red...
According to the Alzheimer's Association, every 70 seconds, someone in America develops Alzheimer's disease; by 2050, it will be one person every 33 seconds. Alzheimer's is the most common form of dementia that affects people ages 65 and older. It...
Alzheimer's disease can be devastating for the individuals who have it as well as for their families and friends. A diagnosis of Alzheimer's may involve looking at brain scans, assessing behavior, giving psychiatric tests and performing blood...
Alzheimer's is a degenerative disease that affects memory and cognitive function. People can't remember names, words or directions to the grocery store at first, and eventually they can't remember how to brush their teeth or button a shirt....
The pineal gland synthesizes and releases melatonin throughout the nighttime hours. This hormone plays an important role in many biological and psychological processes. Aging and disease reduce circulating levels of melatonin, causing a hormone...
Alzheimer's is a devastating degenerative brain disease that affects elderly people. For years, doctors have been trying to uncover its cause; however, recent research may prove the link between Alzheimer's disease and testosterone. While it is...
Alzheimer's disease affects up to 4 million elderly Americans. At time of publication, no reliable cure exists. However, certain body and brain chemicals appear to play a role in the disease's development. Some evidence suggests that a deficiency...
Everyone forgets occasionally, but as people age, their ability to remember may not be as sharp as it once was, according to the Mayo Clinic. Memory loss related to aging is annoying, but it shouldn't disrupt your lifestyle. Supplements that...
