How alzheimer's is diagnosed?

Alzheimer’s Disease is a progressive disease that affects not only the patient but also their family and loved ones. Due to the effects of the disease and Alzheimer’s, the patient can be physically present but mentally and emotionally absent. This can be psychologically devastating to the loved ones of the patient who are witnessing the decline.

Alzheimer’s Disease can be classified into one of these phases: pre-symptomatic, mildly symptomatic but pre-dementia, and Alzheimer’s caused dementia.  The separation of phases results from the theory that measurable changes can detect Alzheimer’s Disease prbeforehe the most common symptoms becoming present. The common symptoms of Alzheimer’s Disease are memory loss and other cognitive disruptions.

Biomarkers are commonly used in the research of Alzheimer’s Disease. Biomarkers can help doctors monitor changes occurring in the body that may be precursors for disease and then track changes once the disease is present. The importance of biomarkers lies in the fact that changes can be detected in the brain before symptoms may present and increases the response time for interventions.

Brain imaging is a tool used in identifying the biomarkers of Alzheimer’s Disease. Brain imaging can detect changes in the brain before symptoms are presenting. One form of brain imaging is computerized tomography, more commonly referred to as a CT scan. When a person undergoes a CT scan, doctors can see images of the brain similar to what an x-ray would show off a bone. The main purpose of the CT scan is to identify changes in a person’s brain over time or compared to similar people of the same age group.  Another form of brain imaging is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). An MRI can offer a more detailed look at the brain than that a CT scan.  MRIs are important in aiding in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease because they can show areas of the brain that are displaying shrinkage.

Cerebrospinal fluid is the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and can be used as a biomarker in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease. Cerebrospinal fluid is extracted from the body through a lumbar puncture, and the fluid is then evaluated for its protein levels. The level of certain proteins in the fluid can then be a sign of Alzheimer’s Disease.

Blood tests and genetic testing are also used to help doctors in diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease. As research in this area continues, it is hopeful more and more people will be helped with early diagnosis.