Since there is no single definitive medical test for identifying Alzheimer’s disease, arriving at the correct diagnosis can take time and patience. Diagnosing Alzheimer's requires a detailed evaluation, including:
A thorough history of symptoms from the patient and spouse or family, including past and present functioning. Determining classic patterns can help your doctor eliminate other causes of Alzheimer’s symptoms, and also distinguish Alzheimer’s from other forms of dementia.
A physical and neurological exam, including cognitive tests to assess such things as orientation (ability to recall details about self, place, and time), attention span, speed of information processing, working memory, and mood and personality.
Other tests, such as brain imaging and blood tests, to rule out other medical causes.
To diagnose Alzheimer's disease from your symptoms, a doctor will look for:
Significant memory problems in immediate recall, short-term, or long-term memory.
Significant thinking deficits in at least one of four areas: expressing or comprehending language; identifying familiar objects through the senses; poor coordination, gait, or muscle function; and the executive functions of planning, ordering, and making judgments.
Decline severe enough to interfere with relationships and/or work performance.
Symptoms that appear gradually and become steadily worse over time.
Other causes to be ruled out to ensure memory and cognitive symptoms are not the result of another medical condition or disease, such as mild cognitive impairment.
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