There is no specific diagnostic test that can confirm Alzheimer’s disease. If you show symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease, a set of medical professionals will run different tests on you to finalise their diagnosis.
You will be asked about your medical history as it is important for doctors to understand the cognitive and behavioural changes. During the medical checkup, the doctor will ask about any injury in the past and family history of dementia.
Once done, doctors will conduct a mental cognitive status test to know if you are aware of your symptoms. They will try to know if you are aware of spatial information and know the day, time and date. Moreover, the doctor will also try to assess your grasp on language and calculation.
Following this, the doctor will do a physical examination and run some diagnostic tests. The physical examination will include questions on diet, ongoing medication, blood pressure, alcohol and substance abuse. Moreover, the doctor will take blood and urine samples.
As the preliminary checkup finishes, the doctor will make you undergo brain imaging. The brain imaging may include Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Positron emission tomography (PET) or Computed Tomography (CT) scan. Both are done to confirm the presence of tumour or plaque that induces Alzheimer’s disease.
While diagnosis is critical for treatment planning, exploring potential prevention strategies can empower individuals and families to take a more active role in managing their health.
At the end, the doctor may also conduct a neurological exam to confirm the presence of any other genetic disorder that may impair cognitive functioning.
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