Alzheimer’s Diagnosis: What You Need to Know

Is Alzheimer’s disease the same as dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term. It means there has been a severe loss of brain function that interrupts daily life. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia in older adults, but it is not the only cause. You can also develop dementia as a result of conditions like stroke, Parkinson’s disease or other disorders that impact the brain.

What are the signs and symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Alzheimer’s disease is unique from other types of dementia in that it mostly impacts your brain’s ability to form new memories.

Usually, people have no trouble remembering events that happened long ago, but they start to forget about recent events. They may begin to repeat themselves or not recall a conversation with a family member. They may notice they are misplacing things more frequently. They may need help with familiar tasks, like operating the remote or balancing a checkbook. They may get lost while driving. Over time, people can show decreased judgment and become more impulsive or vulnerable to scams.

Eventually, people can lose track of what year it is or be unable to recognize their surroundings. Their sleep cycle may become disrupted. Often, these cognitive changes are accompanied by mood changes as well. People may begin to seem withdrawn or irritable. Alzheimer’s is a slow-moving disease, and symptoms typically develop over several years. If your symptoms start rapidly, it is more likely something else is going on.

How do I know if I’m at risk of developing Alzheimer's disease?

The greatest known risk factor is age. The older we get, the higher our risk.

Most people with Alzheimer’s disease are over the age of 65. A family history of Alzheimer’s disease, particularly on your mother’s side, can increase your risk, but it is not a guarantee that you will develop it. We also know that certain lifestyle factors, like smoking or poor cardiovascular health, seem to make our brain tissue more vulnerable to developing Alzheimer’s disease. Even factors like untreated depression can increase our risk.

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

Technically, Alzheimer’s disease can only be confirmed at autopsy. When you see your doctor, no one test can diagnose Alzheimer’s with 100% certainty. Instead, Alzheimer’s disease is diagnosed through a series of clinical tests and evaluations.

First, your doctor must rule out other conditions that impact the brain. Your doctor will probably order a brain scan, such as an MRI or CT scan, to look for strokes, brain tumors or other problems with brain tissue. In the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease, CT or MRI are often normal. Sometimes, the brain will show mild shrinkage. In some instances, they may order a PET scan, a more specialized neuroimaging type. They will probably order blood work to check your vitamin levels. They will ask about other factors that interfere with cognition, such as stress, regular pain, poor sleep or side effects from medication. Finally, they will do a physical and neurological examination.

If other causes have been ruled out, or if your mind problems are continuing, the gold standard for determining whether someone has dementia is neuropsychological testing. You will be referred to a neuropsychologist, who will conduct a thorough interview with you and your family and then conduct in-depth cognitive tests to determine if any areas of your thinking are falling below the normal range for someone your age.

A neuropsychologist will evaluate your attention, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, problem-solving and social-emotional functioning to see if the pattern of those scores is consistent with Alzheimer’s disease. They will also provide recommendations about what to expect and what you can do about it.

How is Alzheimer's disease treated?

If you or a loved one receives a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, it can be a very scary moment. But there are many things we can do, and we have a team of people ready to help you through the process.

There is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, although there is always research ongoing. Current medications can temporarily slow the progression, especially in the early stages, but they don’t stop it. Instead, treatment focuses on symptom management so that we can ensure a good quality of life for both persons with Alzheimer’s disease and their caregivers.

Managing the lifestyle risk factors we mentioned earlier, such as diet, exercise and smoking, is important to slow the decline. A healthy heart makes for a healthy brain, so we want to take good care of cardiovascular conditions. We want to make sure any stress or anxiety is treated. One important element often overlooked is the importance of staying cognitively active. The more you can treat your brain like a muscle by staying active and engaged, the better the outcomes tend to be. No one activity is suitable for everyone – if you are continuing to challenge yourself, you’re on the right track. Maybe that means doing a daily crossword puzzle, joining a book club, taking a cooking class or learning a new language. Not only do these activities help keep your brain healthy, but they also increase your quality of life. 

Caring for someone with Alzheimer’s disease can be challenging, and reaching out for support is crucial. While finding the right resources might seem complicated, Ochsner’s Dementia Care Management program is here to guide you. Let us help you navigate this journey and access the support you need.

When should I talk to someone about my symptoms?

There are (unfortunately!) a lot of changes that occur in our brains with age. We can’t run as fast as we did when we were young, and our brains don’t work as fast. We get a little more forgetful as we age, and we can find ourselves searching for words more often. If we are feeling stressed, aren’t sleeping well or are on many medications, it is normal to feel a little duller from a cognitive standpoint.

However, Alzheimer’s disease is not a part of normal aging. If your symptoms start interrupting your ability to live your life, it is time to tell your doctor.