"Alzheimer's Tests To Help Diagnosis"

For doctors to diagnose Alzheimer's with 100% accuracy is through physical examination of the brain after the person has passed away.

What that means is there's no single diagnostic test that is able to determine if a person has Alzheimers disease, but the battery of testing that is available makes it possible for physicians to diagnose it with about 90% accuracy. Alzheimer's disease testing can take anywhere from one day to several weeks to ensure accuracy and proper diagnosis.

An Alzheimer's test is important to ensure that the person isn't just going through the usual memory loss associated with age.

Generaly, there are two types of Alzheimers tests:

Psychological testing and
Physical testing

Psychological Test for Alzheimers

This test assesses a patient mental status that helps to determine his or her sense of time and place, the ability to understand, remember and communicate. This test also assesses the ability to perform simple mathematical problems.

There is also a series of evaluations that test reasoning, vision-motor coordination, language skills and simple memory functions. The physician may also suggest an evaluation with a psychiatrist, for information regarding moods, and other emotional factors commonly associated with Alzheimer's disease. The psychological portion of Alzheimer's disease testing is a relatively simple, quick and non-invasive tool to assess mental capacity.

An alternative to Alzheimer's testing is the mini-mental state examination, or MMSE. The MMSE is a thirty question test that samples a variety of areas of cognitive ability, such as memory, problem solving, and orientation. This examination is used to determine if a person's cognitive ability is at what is considered a normal level.

Physical Test for Alzheimers

Alzheimers disease testing has a physical portion that helps to rule out other possibilities for why someone might be experiencing similar symptoms. A primary care physician or diagnostician will likely perform a general physical examination, which will give the doctor information about the person's nutritional status, pulse, and blood pressure.

They might also perform an examination that tests balance, sensation, and other nervous system; the major area affected by Alzheimer's disease.

Experimental Alzheimers Test

One of the most promising areas in Alzheimer's testing is brain-scanning technology. While currently not considered to be conclusive, electronic imaging of the brain is being used by doctors and researchers increasingly to look for the kinds of swellings and tangles that are typical of Alzheimer's disease. PET scanning can determine whether there is reduced activity in certain areas of the brain.

Genetic testing is also being evaluated as a possible method of Alzheimer's testing. People possessing the AD gene, which produces a particular protein, are much more likely to develop Alzheimers. It is important to note, however, that the presence of this gene does not guarantee that Alzheimer's disease will develop.

Alzheimers Memory Test