Diagnostic Tools
A healthcare provider will likely use a variety of methods to arrive at a diagnosis of AD. These diagnostic tools also help rule out other forms of dementia or health conditions that may produce dementia-like symptoms, such as alcohol abuse, blood vessel diseases, brain tumors, infections, medication interactions or side effects, mood disorders, neurological problems, thyroid disorders, or nutritional deficiencies.
Doctors may use the following diagnostic tools:
- Evaluation of Symptoms
Healthcare providers rely on the patient and the patient's loved ones to provide a full description of symptoms, including what the patient is experiencing, when his or her symptoms began, and how frequently the symptoms occur. - Medical History
Full disclosure of a patient's past and current medical conditions and procedures, surgeries, and traumas, as well as a complete list of his or her medications, vitamins, herbs, and supplements is necessary to help narrow a diagnosis. Information about diet, lifestyle, and family history of disease also is important. - Physical Exam
A physical exam may include evaluation of the heart, lungs, and blood pressure. The neurological component of the exam will assess reflexes, coordination, muscle function, speech, physical sensation, and eye movement. - Psychological/Psychiatric Exam
Evaluation of emotional or mental conditions can help determine if an underlying mood disorder such as depression may contribute to symptoms. - Lab Tests
A healthcare provider may test samples of blood, urine, or spinal fluid to help rule out other conditions that may be responsible for symptoms. - Brain Scans
An MRI, CT scan, PET scan or other form of imaging helps healthcare providers detect any brain abnormalities that may indicate AD or other disorders. - Neuropsychological Tests or Mental Status Exam
These tests detect and assess impairments in memory, language, comprehension, and reasoning skills.
If an evaluation reveals another condition may be causing dementia-like symptoms, treating the underlying disorder may reduce or eliminate symptoms. If AD is diagnosed, a doctor will prescribe a course of treatment and recommend various support resources for AD sufferers and caregivers.
