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New Alzheimer testing methods consist of more than nothing spitting in a test tube, allowing more and more people to take that first move toward fighting Alzheimer's disease and becoming their first advocate. But in actuality, many types of tests are available depending on the location, hospital, or doctor involved.

The most common form of dementia, Alzheimer is best described by its experts as a "loss of intellectual and social abilities severe enough to interfere with daily functioning. In Alzheimer's disease, healthy brain tissue degenerates, causing a steady decline in memory and mental abilities." (CNN.com. Jan.17, 2009)

According to Mayo Clinic, doctors are accurately diagnosing 90% of Alzheimer's cases with 100% accuracy made after death with microscopic examinations of the brain. Imaging technology has become more precise and accurate, detecting the brain's plaques and tangles which are also seen in normal aging. This requires the brain examination to be compared to a control sample of a normal, non-AD brain tissue from someone who is the same age as the patient.

ALZHEIMER'S TESTING

An expert doctor can accurately diagnose Alzheimer's with a comprehensive, competent diagnostic work-up.  This involves an initial visit with the physician consisting of assessments done in several areas: psychosocial, medical, neuropsychological, and neurological; a laboratory evaluation which includes blood tests, brain scans and related studies; an in-depth neuropsychological test; an in-home assessment of functional and safety concerns if necessary; with a family conference with the results for recommendations. After that, the Alzheimer's patient is assessed on an annual basis.

Neuropsychological Testing:

Thinking and memory skill extensive assessment testing is done by most doctors who suspect Alzheimer's disease. Taking several hours to complete, it is excellent for detecting all forms of dementia at an early stage.

Brain Scans:

The brains scans that are ordered consist of imaging tools such as the computed tomography (CT), a positron emission tomography (PET), or magnetic resonance imaging scans (MRI). Experts will look for brain atrophy signs, with shrinkage found only in progressive Alzheimer's disease, or signs of strokes, brain trauma, or tumors. An ongoing data analysis of Alzheimer's data neuroimaging is supported continuously with the availability of new resources and state-of-the-art computer science expertise and software tools.

Blood Tests:

Used to check for Dementia and rule out Alzheimer's disease:

Vitamin B12

Blood

Rule out AD

B12 deficiency

Blood

Rule out AD

Thyroid function

Blood

Rule out AD

Thyroid function

Blood

Rule out AD

Anemia, infection

Blood

Rule out AD

Na+,K+,Cl-,CO2 and pH balance

Blood

Rule out AD

Inflammation

Blood

Rule out AD

AIDS

RPR

Blood

Rule out AD

Syphilis

Drug Screen

Urine

Rule out AD

Illicit drug use

Amyloid Beta 42 peptide and Tau protein correlation (Tau/Ab42)

CSF (cerebro-spinal fluid)

Help differentiate AD from other dementias

In symptomatic patients, decreasedAb42 level along with an elevated Tau protein level indicates an increased likelihood of AD, regardless of the cause

Blood

Determine ApoE genotype and adjunct test to confirm/rule out probable AD

ApoE e4 associated with increased risk of late onset AD in symptomatic patients; e4 and e2 variations also associated with lipid disorders

Blood

Test for genetic mutation

Thought to cause about half of the cases of Early Onset Familial AD

PSEN2

Blood, available in only a few labs

Test for genetic mutation; available in only a few labs

Early Onset Familial AD; mutation very rare, identified in only a few family lines

APP

Blood

Test for genetic mutation; still in research - not clinically available

Early Onset Familial AD; mutation very rare, identified in only a few family lines