Testing for Alzheimer's and Other Forms of Dementia

Posted by Donna Mae Scheib on October 06, 2017

Testing for Alzheimer’s and Other Forms of Dementia

Seniors might want to have an evaluation for cognitive impairment as part of their annual wellness visit. If they have concerns about dementia because of family history or they themselves are having memory lapses and exhibit any other patterns of behavior that are systematic of cognitive decline, then a simple yearly evaluation will be helpful.

Although research has not shown that routine screening for all seniors improves dementia care overall, if cognitive impairment or dementia is detected early enough, then the drugs that are presently available can help treat the condition as they are most effective in the early stages of the disease. If the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia is accurate, it can also help those people and families anticipate future needs and plan accordingly.

There are several assessments that look at the causes ofAlzheimer’s and dementia. It is not just one assessment alone, but the combination that provides a more accurate picture. These include the patient’s medical history, a physical exam, neurological exam, mental status tests, and brain imaging.

Medical History

The doctor will review your history and ask questions concerning any illnesses you may have had throughout your life and any current illnesses you are experiencing. They will also look at the medicines you are presently taking. It is recommended that you bring a list of the medicines currently being taken to your appointment. These drugs include any over-the-counter medications and various supplements. At this time, the medical conditions of other family members and especially if these individuals have had Alzheimer’s or related dementias will be addressed.

Physical Exam

A routine physical exam and accompanying laboratory tests can help identify possible health issues that may cause symptoms of dementia, which include confused thinking, trouble attending, and memory problems. These health issues might be a combination of any type of infection, anemia, diabetes, kidney or liver disease, certain vitamin deficiencies, thyroid abnormalities, and problems with the lungs, blood vessels, and the heart. Or they could be reflective of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

Your blood pressure, temperature, and pulse are taken. The doctor checks out your heart and lungs. You will be asked questions about your diet, nutrition, and use of alcohol/caffeine/other drugs. You will submit blood and urine samples for lab testing.

Neurological Exam

The doctor will look for evidence that may show symptoms of Alzheimer’s and any other type of brain disorder. Signs of strokes, Parkinson’s disease, brain tumors, fluid accumulation on the brain, and other illnesses that may impair memory or thinking are observed. The medical personnel will check reflexes, sensation, coordination, muscle tone, overall strength, eye movement as well as general speech ability (receptive and oral).

Brain Status Tests

A variety of mental tests will be used to evaluate memory, the ability to solve simple problems, and to assess thinking skills. These tests will help determine any symptoms of brain decline and impairment. The medical personnel will ask some common questions about the date, time, and location to see if the person is aware of these. Another test is to have the person recite a short list of words to test for short-term memory, to follow simple directions performed either verbally or written, and to execute simple math calculations.

Clinical Tests

There are two common mental tests that are administered: the mini-cog test and the mini-mental state exam.

The mini-cog test has the individual complete two tasks and these results determine if further testing is needed:

• Remember and repeat (a few minutes later) the names of three common objects that are presented

• Draw a face of a clock (place all 12 numbers in the correct spots and then put the hands on the clock to match a given time from the examiner)

The mini-mental state exam looks at a range of everyday mental skills. This screening test is a set of short questionnaires that look at memory, attention, and language/visuospatial skills. It is scored with a maximum of 30 points: 20-24 points suggesting mild dementia; 13-20 points suggesting moderate dementia; less than 12 points suggesting severe dementia. The test takes approximately 10-15 minutes to administer. Typically, someone with Alzheimer’s will have a decline of 2-4 points yearly on this particular test.

Computerized Tests and Mood Assessments

Besides clinical tests, some doctors use additional computerized tests that have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to test for cognition. More and more tests are being developed. At the present time, the approved tests include the Cantab Mobile, Cognigram, Cognivue, and Cognision and Automated Neuropsychological Assessment Metrics (ANAM) devices. There are distinct advantages of a computerized test. It is administered the same way each time so the results are not subjective like a clinical test might be and the prompts are reliable and consistent.

The doctor will also evaluate a person’s mood (i.e., their sense of well-being) to notice any type of depression or other mood disorders that may be symptomatic of forms of dementia. Any noticeable memory problems, attention difficulty, and a loss of interest in daily living might be areas of concern.

Brain Imaging

Included in the standard workup for determining Alzheimer’s disease and dementia is brain imaging that is performed with an MRI or CT. This testing can show brain tumors, any strokes, head trauma damage, or fluid brain build-up which may play a significant role in someone who is suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or other similar disorders. Discuss this issue with a medical doctor. This is one step that can ensure a better peace of mind regarding healthy aging. 

Rely on Senior Living Link Today

Find out if testing for Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia might be helpful for your loved one. Senior Living Link has the resources you need to determine the best course of action. Contact us today to learn more.