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Tests Used to Diagnose Alzheimer’s Disease

If you or a person you love are concerned about memory loss and wonder if recent cognition issues are due to simple aging or something else, you may also wonder what your next steps are. You’ve probably already been told (through your research or from someone else) that you should see a doctor to determine what the issue is. But how does this help? How does a doctor determine whether a memory issue is dementia or something else?

“The reason we always recommend seeing a doctor as a first step is because there’s not one specific test that can determine if a person has a dementia like Alzheimer’s disease,” says Beth Vellante, Executive Director of Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover, a memory care assisted living community in Andover, MA. “As you may already know, memory diseases like Alzheimer’s are complex and medical science is still researching them to determine exactly why and how a person develops them.” This means, she says, that trying to self-diagnose if you or a loved one has Alzheimer’s is a bit of a useless and perhaps dangerous endeavor.

“Diagnosing a person with Alzheimer’s requires a complete assessment with many different tests, because there are many health issues that can cause cognitive difficulties. Some of these health issues are treatable and reversible with the right medication and therapies, but can cause significant issues if left untreated. It’s important to look at all your symptoms, determine the possible causes and then form a treatment plan that helps determine what you have – or what you don’t have.”

When you visit your doctor, he or she will order a variety of tests to record your medical history, physical state, neurological state and mental state. Depending on your symptoms, additional tests may be required. Here is what you can generally expect when you or a loved one visit your doctor to speak about the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease.

Medical History and Assessment

During the first step of your medical workup, a doctor will ask you about your medical history. He or she will ask about illnesses, both past and present, as well as a current list of medications. You will also be asked about medical conditions that run in your family, both related to memory impairments and others (for example, Type II diabetes, heart issues, etc).

During your appointment, your doctor will run some tests looking to evaluate these particular factors:

  • If you have impaired memory or cognitive skills
  • If you’re exhibiting changes in behaviors or personality
  • How your memory issues are affecting your ability to function in daily life
  • If your memory issues may be related to a health condition like depression, past strokes, Parkinson’s disease or others

Your doctor may order additional laboratory tests to rule out different health factors. In this case, you may be asked to give blood or urine samples to be tested. After the physical exam is completed, your doctor may refer you to different specialists to determine your neurological and mental state.

Neurological Exam

A neurological exam is usually performed by a specialist who will look for any issues that could indicate brain disorders other than Alzheimer’s. The doctor will look for signs of Parkinson’s disease, small or large strokes, fluid accumulation on the brain, brain tumors and other illnesses. The physician will also run a battery of tests to check out reflexes, speech, eye movement, coordination, sensation and other physical aspects that can indicate neurological issues.

Depending on the symptoms, you or your loved one may also need to undergo a brain imaging study, which is usually done via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computer tomography (CT).

Mental Status Exam

The third factor that physicians will test is mental status. This evaluates a person’s capacity for memory, problem-solving and other thinking skills. Two commonly used assessments are the Mini-Cog and Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE).

For the Mini-Cog test, a person is asked to complete two tasks:

  1. Remember the names of three common objects and repeat them a few minutes later
  2. Draw the face of a clock showing all 12 numbers in the correct places, plus the hands pointing to a time specified by the examiner.

Depending on the results, the physician will determine if further evaluation is needed.

During the MMSE, you or your loved one will be asked a series of questions that test a range of everyday mental skills. Based on the answers, you will receive a number between 0 and 30. A score of 25 to 30 means good to excellent mental status. A score between 20 and 24 suggests a mild form of dementia, 13 to 20 suggests a moderate level of dementia, and less than 12 indicates a severe form of dementia.

Besides performing tests of a person’s mental status, doctors will evaluate an individual’s sense of well-being to rule out depression or other mood disorders that cause symptoms that can mimic Alzheimer’s.

Self-Performed Exams

While there are no self-administered exams that can accurately determine if a person has dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, there are tests out there that you can do on your own to help figure out if you need to consult with a physician. One such screening tool is the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE), which was developed by the Ohio State University College of Medicine, Department of Neurology. The tool is designed to detect early stages of mental impairments by evaluating thinking abilities. While SAGE doesn’t diagnose any specific condition, nor does it tell if a person has Alzheimer’s disease or another disorder, the results can help doctors know if further evaluation may be necessary.

The test is easy to do. You’ll need to print the SAGE form and fill it out. The entire test shouldn’t take more than 15 minutes, and when you’ve completed it, you can take it with you when you see your primary care physician. He or she can interpret the results and get a clearer picture of your symptoms and what next steps should be.

Memory loss and the possibility of Alzheimer’s disease can be scary for people, and it’s natural to want to sweep things under the rug. However, visiting your doctor to determine what may be happening is the most important thing you or a loved one can do.

To download and take the SAGE test, visit: https://wexnermedical.osu.edu/brain-spine-neuro/memory-disorders/sage#SAGETest

If you would like more information about diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, contact us at 978.775.1070.

Engaging Lifestyle.

Now open! Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover provides memory care in an assisted living environment that is comfortable, positive, safe and engaging. Built solely to care for those with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover creates a wellness-focused lifestyle that promotes dignity and respects individual preferences. Our memory care teams receive specialized training that helps them safely support residents’ independence and elevate their self-esteem.

Dedicated Memory Care

Through early-, mid- and late-stage memory loss, residents and their families have complete peace of mind. Our compassionate dementia care, Personalized Services and unique programs are tailored to meet the physical, cognitive and emotional needs of each resident wherever they are on their own journey, allowing them to age in place safely, comfortably and with respect.

Supportive, Purpose-Built Design

Featuring a stunning residential design and the amenities of a new community, Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover is much more than a beautiful place to live; it’s a community where residents’ lives are enriched, and their families enjoy meaningful moments together. Our research-based design features soft colors and lighting, directional cues, aromatherapy and interactive life-enrichment stations that empower residents to explore their homes with confidence.

Call us today at 978.775.1070 to learn more about  Bridges® by EPOCH at Andover or to schedule a personal tour.

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