Diagnosing Alzheimer's and Other Dementias Questions

1. What kind of doctor should we see to diagnose dementia?

   A neurologist should be able to tell you what it the clinical diagnosis of your mother's dementia. However, the diagnosis may not be that important in her total care. You cannot rely on her to decide what is dangerous situation because dementia impaired her judgement...
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2. How do I find a local doctor that specializes in dementia?

   Your local Alzheimer’s Association may be able to give you names of local dementia doctors or gerontologists. Go to: www.alz.org, “Your community.” When you talk to them, ask about a support group in your area. Personal references are the best. If you have no luck with that, try your local medical aical association...
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3. Can temporal frontal lobe dementia be diagnosed without a PET scan?

   Frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a dementia that occurs in the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. The lobes will shrink over time, which causes problems in brain functioning, especially with personality, behaviors and language.
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4. My mother is becoming increasingly forgetful but won't got to the doctor, what should I do?

   Your mom is perfectly normal. Her resistance is pretty much the norm. Few of us would be ready to admit that we’re experiencing cognitive decline and are no longer capable of taking care of ourselves. In this situation it will help you to try to “walk in your mother’s shoes.” She does not want to sunt...
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5. FAQ: What Are Biomarkers for Alzheimer's Disease?

   Biomarkers are biological indicators of the presence or absence of disease. The biomarkers referred to in Alzheimer's disease testing are:
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6. FAQ: What Kind of Experts Can Diagnose Alzheimer's Disease?

   A physician is in the best position to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, because he or she can conduct a physical examination and the testing necessary to rule out other possible causes for memory loss and other symptoms of dementia.
   FAQ 1 Expert Answer

7. FAQ: If Alzheimer's Is So Common, Why Isn't It Easier to Diagnose?

   It's difficult to diagnose Alzheimer's dementia for several reasons:
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8. Should I accept the "diagnosis" of Alzheimer's from my wife's doctors?

   If, in fact, your PCP, a Neurologist, and a medical third party have all diagnosed your wife with Alzheimer's disease (AD), I truly believe you will feel relieved when you are able to accept the viability of their conclusion. There was a time not so long ago when brain autopsy was the way of confirming the diagnosis of AD...
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9. How can I best broach the subject of a misdiagnosis with out questioning a doctor's throughness?

   Reading through your letter, I understand your concern about the neurologist. It sounds like you have a hard time believing that he could diagnose dementia only after asking her a few questions and doing a quick exam.
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10. Any suggestions for helping my husband accept that he may have Alzheimer's?

    Although it might appear that your husband is in 'denial' about his diagnosis, it is also possible that his dementia has progressed and has compromised both his memory of getting the diagnosis and his insight into reality. At an earlier point of time, he understood and accepted the diagnosis and demonstrated insight and good judgment as he told others...
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11. How can I help my husband see that he needs to have some tests done to diagnose his Alzheimer's?

    Oh my, this must be so incredibly difficult for you to be dealing daily with your husband's obvious cognitive decline and for you to be doing so without much support. There is definitely something organic causing issues with his memory and it certainly could be Alzheimer's (AD) or one of the other...
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12. What do you do when a person refuses to see someone about their Alzheimer's symptoms?

    When you say your friend has obvious signs of dementia, possibly of the Alzheimer’s type, we assume you mean that she’s experiencing short-term memory loss, increased confusion and maybe even personality changes. Specialists urge us to get ourselves tested and diagnosed as early as possible, becauseause it gives us the opportunity to put our affairs in order...
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13. I am concerned for Mom's safety, so how can I go about having her mental status determined?

    I would recommend calling your mother's doctor ASAP and telling them your concerns. I am sure they will want to see your mother and assess her mental status themselves to see if there is an issue. If they find something abnormal, they can refer her to a neurologist or memory clinic for a more in-depth evaluation...
    1 Expert Answer, 1 Community Answer

14. Why wouldn't a neurologist diagnose dementia or Alzheimer's?

    I always advise people to get a second opinion so this is an option you might want to look into. Caring.com also has a Memory Clinic locator feature that will help you find a memory evaluation clinic in your area. I can hear the frustration in your email. Don't give up just yet...
    2 Expert Answers, 1 Community Answer

15. Should my husband go to an Alzheimer's specialist for testing and diagnosis?

    The test in the doctor's office is called a Mini Mental Status Test (MMSE). It's a screen for possible memory problems, not a diagnostic test. It's routinely given to older adults. Your husband's score was 29, which is considered well within the normal range...
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16. Can effects from a bump to the head be misdiagnosed as Alzheimer's?

    Traumatic brain injury may lead to some symptoms that are similar to symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. However, the biggest difference is in the course of the symptoms. Symptoms of traumatic brain injury get usually better or do not change, while symptoms of Alzheimer's disease get worse...
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17. At what age, if not now afflicted, can I forget about ever getting Alzheimer's?

    Unfortunately, incidence of Alzheimer's disease increases with age and there is no evidence that you would be safer as you get older. Alzheimer changes in the brain might occur in everybody if that person lived long enough. However, clinical symptoms of dementia might not occur if that person did not have any vascular changes in the brain...
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18. How do I begin to get help for my mother who may be suffering from Alzheimer's disease?

    Caregiving is hard enough; when parent is negative, it makes for a toxic relationship. Your son and family are heroes for helping her.
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19. FAQ: How Close Are We to a True Alzheimer's Disease Diagnostic Test?

    We're getting close to a true Alzheimer's disease diagnostic test, although it's difficult to say when something definitive will be available on a mass scale. You should realize that these tests may not be able to answer the questions people often have when they're asking about an Alzheimer's diagnosis...
    FAQ 1 Expert Answer

20. Is rapid memory loss a sign of Alzheimer's?

    A rapid short term memory decline is not usually associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most of the time memory loss for someone with AD has a slower progression. It is important for him to be seen by a physician as soon as possible to determine the cause and perhaps treatment of the rapid memory loss...
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