Specialists may conduct additional tests, such as brain scans or lab tests of spinal fluid, to help make a diagnosis. If a doctor thinks a person may have Alzheimer’s, they may refer the person to a specialist, such as a neurologist, for further assessment. How Is Alzheimer’s Diagnosed and Treated?ĭoctors may ask questions about health, conduct cognitive tests, and carry out standard medical tests to determine whether to diagnose a person with Alzheimer’s disease. It’s the result of complex changes in the brain that start years before symptoms appear and lead to the loss of brain cells and their connections. That’s why Alzheimer’s is sometimes referred to as “dementia.” Other diseases and conditions can also cause dementia, with Alzheimer’s being the most common cause of dementia in older adults.Īlzheimer’s disease is not a normal part of aging. The symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease - changes in thinking, remembering, reasoning, and behavior - are known as dementia.

Many more people experience Alzheimer's in their lives as family members and friends of those with the disease. That’s more individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease than the population of a large American city.

More than 6 million Americans, many of them age 65 and older, are estimated to have Alzheimer’s disease. People with Alzheimer’s also experience changes in behavior and personality. Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks.

Memory loss diseases