Post by norbert1 on Feb 12, 2005 9:46:01 GMT -5
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from the Alzheimers Association-
Common tests
There is no one diagnostic test that can detect if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. The process involves several kinds of tests and may take more than one day. Diagnostic tools and criteria make it possible for physicians to make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s with an accuracy of about 90 percent.
Evaluations may include the following steps:
consultation with a primary care physician and possibly a neurologist or other specialists.
a medical history, which collects information about current mental or physical conditions, prescription and nonprescription drug use, and family health history
a mental status evaluation to assess sense of time and place; ability to remember, understand, and communicate; and ability to do simple math problems
a series of evaluations that test memory, reasoning, vision-motor coordination, and language skills
a physical examination, which includes the evaluation of the person's nutritional status, blood pressure, and pulse
an examination that tests sensation, balance, and other functions of the nervous system
a brain scan to detect other causes of dementia such as stroke
laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, to provide additional information about problems other than Alzheimer’s that may be causing dementia
a psychiatric evaluation, which provides an assessment of mood and other emotional factors that could cause dementia-like symptoms or may accompany Alzheimer’s disease
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from Norbert
I've heard this explained another way. An MRI takes a physical picture of the brain. It's the same as trying to tell if a car runs properly by taking a picture of it. The MRI cannot detect the Alzheimer’s disease process. It is not like a lab test, (like say a blood test that tells whether a certain bacteria is present). It is just one of the things the doctor looks at to see if everything is consistent with Alzheimer’s.
The doctor looks at the history, the way the symptoms developed and how long it took, the kinds of impairments the person has - and asks if this is consistent with Alzheimer’s. The mini mental shows different types of thought difficulties - are they consistant with Alzhiemers?
He rules out other problems - vitamin deficiencies or medication interactions for instance. The MRI is also consulted for evidence of tumors, strokes and other physical abnormalities. If no other problems are detected, then the MRI is looked at to determine if it appears consistent with Alzheimer’s - specifically shrinkage in areas that are usually affected first with Alzheimer’s, and in areas consistent with the cognitive difficulties the person is exhibiting.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is a clinical diagnosis, made by the clinician (doctor). It is a judgement based on all the factors present. The MRI is a major consideration in this diagnosis, but not the only thing considered. Diagnosing on the basis of all the factors is more accurate than diagnosing based on the MRI alone.
I have heard some doctors say that an MRI isn't necessary at all in older patients when all the other evidence is consistent with Alzheimer’s and no other problems are found that could be causing it - i.e. a typical presentation. But I think that most of the times, an MRI is done.
And then there is the PET scan. Using radioactive isotopes attached to glucose, it shows level of brain activity in the various areas of the brain. Here again they are looking for patterns that are typical of Alzheimers or the dementia that is suspected. It is more expensive and is usually approved for younger patients or cases where the doctor is having difficulty making a diagnosis.
from the Alzheimers Association-
Common tests
There is no one diagnostic test that can detect if a person has Alzheimer’s disease. The process involves several kinds of tests and may take more than one day. Diagnostic tools and criteria make it possible for physicians to make a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s with an accuracy of about 90 percent.
Evaluations may include the following steps:
consultation with a primary care physician and possibly a neurologist or other specialists.
a medical history, which collects information about current mental or physical conditions, prescription and nonprescription drug use, and family health history
a mental status evaluation to assess sense of time and place; ability to remember, understand, and communicate; and ability to do simple math problems
a series of evaluations that test memory, reasoning, vision-motor coordination, and language skills
a physical examination, which includes the evaluation of the person's nutritional status, blood pressure, and pulse
an examination that tests sensation, balance, and other functions of the nervous system
a brain scan to detect other causes of dementia such as stroke
laboratory tests, such as blood and urine tests, to provide additional information about problems other than Alzheimer’s that may be causing dementia
a psychiatric evaluation, which provides an assessment of mood and other emotional factors that could cause dementia-like symptoms or may accompany Alzheimer’s disease
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from Norbert
I've heard this explained another way. An MRI takes a physical picture of the brain. It's the same as trying to tell if a car runs properly by taking a picture of it. The MRI cannot detect the Alzheimer’s disease process. It is not like a lab test, (like say a blood test that tells whether a certain bacteria is present). It is just one of the things the doctor looks at to see if everything is consistent with Alzheimer’s.
The doctor looks at the history, the way the symptoms developed and how long it took, the kinds of impairments the person has - and asks if this is consistent with Alzheimer’s. The mini mental shows different types of thought difficulties - are they consistant with Alzhiemers?
He rules out other problems - vitamin deficiencies or medication interactions for instance. The MRI is also consulted for evidence of tumors, strokes and other physical abnormalities. If no other problems are detected, then the MRI is looked at to determine if it appears consistent with Alzheimer’s - specifically shrinkage in areas that are usually affected first with Alzheimer’s, and in areas consistent with the cognitive difficulties the person is exhibiting.
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s is a clinical diagnosis, made by the clinician (doctor). It is a judgement based on all the factors present. The MRI is a major consideration in this diagnosis, but not the only thing considered. Diagnosing on the basis of all the factors is more accurate than diagnosing based on the MRI alone.
I have heard some doctors say that an MRI isn't necessary at all in older patients when all the other evidence is consistent with Alzheimer’s and no other problems are found that could be causing it - i.e. a typical presentation. But I think that most of the times, an MRI is done.
And then there is the PET scan. Using radioactive isotopes attached to glucose, it shows level of brain activity in the various areas of the brain. Here again they are looking for patterns that are typical of Alzheimers or the dementia that is suspected. It is more expensive and is usually approved for younger patients or cases where the doctor is having difficulty making a diagnosis.