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ABOUT ALZHEIMER'S>
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The Importance of Early Diagnosis
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Although the onset of Alzheimer’s or another dementia cannot yet be stopped or reversed, an early diagnosis allows people with dementia and their families:
- A better chance of benefiting from treatment to minimize the symptoms of the disease
- An opportunity to plan for the future and participate in decisions about care, transportation, living options, financial and legal matters
- Benefit from care and support services to guide families throughout the disease
- An opportunity to participate in clinical trials to help with research
What to expect at the Doctor’s Office:
The Diagnostic process
There is not “one” test that can confirm a dementia. A diagnosis is only made after a comprehensive medical evaluation to rule out other possible illnesses.
Some of the tests include:
- A Physical Examination
- Lab Tests (i.e. Blood, urine, thyroid, B-12)
- Neurological Examinations (i.e. MRIs, PET scans, CAT scans)
* identifies brain disorders other than Alzheimer’s disease
- Psychiatric Evaluation: to rule out depression
- Psychological Testing (i.e. MoCA, MMSE):
* Analyzes losses and strengths in cognitive functions such as memory, learning, and language.
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