Page 108 - Dementia-Care-Specialist-Toolkit

DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER’S

Doctors use several methods and tools to help determine whether a person who
is having memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s dementia” (dementia may
be due to another cause) or “probable Alzheimer’s dementia” (no other cause
for dementia can be found).

To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors may:
• • Ask the person and a family member or friend questions about overall health,
past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in
behavior and personality.
• Carry out standard medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, to identify
other possible causes of the problem.

• Help Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting,
and language.

• Perform brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT), magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI), or positron emission tomography (PET), to rule out
other possible causes for symptoms.

TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER’S

Alzheimer’s disease is complex, and it is unlikely that any one drug or other
intervention will successfully treat it. Current approaches focus on helping people
maintain mental function, manage behavioral symptoms, and slow or delay the
symptoms of disease. Researchers hope to develop therapies targeting specific
genetic, molecular, and cellular mechanisms so that the actual underlying cause
of the disease can be stopped or prevented.

MANAGING BEHAVIOR

Common behavioral symptoms of Alzheimer’s include sleeplessness, wandering,
agitation, anxiety, and aggression. Scientists are learning why these symptoms
occur and are studying new treatments—drug and nondrug— to manage them.
Research has shown that treating behavioral symptoms can make people with
Alzheimer’s more comfortable and makes things easier for caregivers.

Information adapted from the NationalInstituteonAging, partoftheNationalInstitutesofHealth www.nia.nih.gov
Reviewed by Alzheimer’s LA January 2016 | NIH July 2012

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