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.

Most people start with their regular primary care physician. Possibly the most useful quality he or she can have is a lot of experience diagnosing Alzheimer's. A geriatrician (physician who specializes in aging) is a good doctor to start with for this reason, but geriatricians are in short supply and can be hard to find.

Other clinicians who may be involved in diagnosing Alzheimer's dementia include neurologists, geriatric psychiatrists, and neuropsychologists. Psychologists and professionals such as geriatric social workers can conduct cognitive screening tests to determine whether someone has dementia symptoms that warrant further checking, but these tests alone can't diagnose Alzheimer's disease. For that, you'll need a complete clinical assessment.