DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

One of the first steps in following up on your concerns regarding memory loss is to find a doctor that you are comfortable with. A good place to start may be with your primary care physician. He or she may choose to act in a supervisory role during the diagnosis and treatment while referring you to other specialists: a neurologist (brain and nervous system diseases), a psychiatrist (disorders that affect mood and how the mind works) and/or a psychologist (advanced training in testing memory and other mental functions).

There is no single test that can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease. Although there are many tests available, it is important to use them in conjunction with screening by your physician or healthcare professional. There are established diagnostic criteria that physicians use to accurately diagnose Alzheimer's disease, and diagnostic tests may include the following:

Complete medical history

• Family medical history including the existence of Alzheimer's disease or dementia-related disorders in family members
  
  
• Detailed medical history including a complete list of medications
  
  
• Review of symptoms including when they began, how often experienced, and whether they are getting worse

Mental status tests

• MMSE (Mini-Mental State Exam): a series of questions that tests everyday mental skills—for example, knowing the date and year, repeating lists of names, items, or phrases, identifying specific locations, and following a series of 3-part instructions
  
  
• The “mini-cog” test involves remembering the names of 3 objects and drawing the face of a clock and identifying a specific time
  
  
• Mental status assessment is an evaluation by the physician to conclude whether the patient is suffering from depression or other mood disorders

Physical exam

• Check vital signs
• Listen to heart and lungs
• Urine and blood tests
• Review nutrition, diet, and use of alcohol
• Review all medications including over-the-counter drugs
• Neurological exam to test reflexes, balance, strength, speech, and sensation

Brain imaging

• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) and CT (computed tomography) determine the shape, volume, and position of brain tissue. These tests are also used to rule out the existence of a tumor, strokes, head trauma, or buildup of fluid that may cause symptoms. Research has shown that shrinkage of tissue in certain areas of the brain may be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease
  
  
• Positron emission tomography (PET) and functional MRI (fMRI) illustrate how well brain cells use sugar and oxygen. Current research suggests that Alzheimer's patients have reduced brain cell activity in certain regions