Examination
Doctors can tell fairly accurately if a person shows possible or probable signs for Alzheimer's disease. Symptoms may arise from another cause, or there may be no other explanation for the Alzheimer's symptoms in a patient. The only positive way to identify Alzheimer's is with an autopsy, which can only be done after a person dies. This will reveal plaques or tangles in brain tissue responsible for the disease. However, doctors determine the probability of the disease by examining a person's overall health, past medical problems, ability to perform certain daily activities and changes in behavior.
Tests
Tests can also be performed to determine memory, problem-solving abilities, attention span and language skills. Blood, urine and spinal fluid testing may give doctors enough information to focus on other causes of the symptoms. Brain scans, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) tests, could help doctors understand the possible causes and if there is damage to the brain. Such imaging and scanning can provide information about the shape, position or volume of brain tissue.
Mental Factors
Mental status testing allows doctors to find out if a person is aware of having symptoms or feels nothing is wrong. These tests can also determine if a person suspected of having Alzheimer's disease knows the date or time or if the patient can remember a short list of words and follow instructions. A primary care doctor can carry out these tests but sometimes refers the patient to a neurologist, who specializes in the brain and nervous system or a psychologist who has training in testing memory and concentration. Early diagnosis of Alzheimer's helps the patient and families plan for the future and treatment.
