Five Tests To Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease
admin August 20th, 2008
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It is difficult for a family to hear the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for a beloved family member. Before a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s can be given, a patient undergoes a series of laboratory tests, including medical assessments and lab measurements. There is not a single test that can diagnose Alzheimer’s.
The first test is a medical interview. The patient will also fill out a medical questionnaire administered by the physician.the interview will mainly concentrate on a patient’s medical history, including previous sicknesses and the use of drugs.
The second type of test for Alzheimer’s disease is a thorough physical examination. The physical will include examination of the patients blood pressure heart rate and eyesight.
The third kind of test to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease involves further laboratory examination. This includes blood and urine samples to check for blood count, liver functions, glucose levels, etc.
The fourth type of test for an Alzheimer’s diagnosis is neuropsychological testing. Patients will be required to perform abstract thinking, problem solving tests, and be examined in their vision-motor coordination. These tests are designed to isolate problem areas, which can also provide a doctor with information on the source of the illness
Finally, an Alzheimer’s diagnosis can be checked with a brain-imaging scan. This may be a CAT or MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging, or MRI, uses radiology to produce images of the internal structures of the body.
After all these tests have been completed, and depending on what the results were, the doctor will conclude whether or not the patient may have Alzheimer’s disease. The only way that is 100% sure to give a correct Alzheimer’s diagnosis is an autopsy, where the brain tissue of the patient can be thoroughly examined.
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