Types of Tests for Alzheimer's

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 providing treatment. According to the NIH, neurological and cognitive examinations have been the standard; however, new research has introduced protein detection as an earlier diagnosis method.

Protein Detection

According to a 2009 Reuter's Health article by Julie Steenhuysen, research conducted by the University of Gothenburg in Sweden showed that protein detection can diagnose Alzheimer's disease earlier than neurological or cognitive examinations. Researchers looked at two forms of proteins---tau and amyloid---which create the tangles and plaques in the Alzheimer's patient's brain. Both tau and amyloid proteins are found in the cerebrospinal fluid, which is present in the brain and spinal cord. The protein detection method is said to be 62 percent effective in determining the development of Alzheimer's disease, and 88 percent effective in ruling out patients who do not develop the disease.

Neurological Examination

Physiological changes happen in the brain of the Alzheimer's disease patient. When the brain is examined with an MRI scan or CT scan, the doctor can note any changes. Overall, the brain shrinks in size dramatically, which affects the brain's normal functions. These changes include shrinkage of the brain's cortex and hippocampus and increases in the size of the ventricles, which are spaces in the brain filled with fluid.

Cognitive Examination

Thinking, memory and planning functions are affected by the brain's physical changes. To test these changes, the doctor will ask the patient simple questions. According to Dr. Peter Rabins at the John Hopkins University School of Medicine, the cognitive examination will start with questions about what the date is and move on to simple calculations. These questions test the cognitive functions that are affected by Alzheimer's disease. According to Dr. Rabins, cognitive examinations should be part of the patient's routine medical assessment to track any changes.