Diagnosis
There are many diagnostic techniques to find out the presence of dementia. A neurological examination can be used to assess communication, judgment, memory, and other cognitive functions. Imaging methods, like MRI, CT, or PET, can help doctors locate the affected areas and the levels of damage. Some blood tests are also helpful in determining possible causes of the disease.
The same cognitive tests can be used for measuring brain functions in people with Alzheimer’s disease. However, the purpose of the diagnostic process is to rule out other triggers instead of pinpointing the cause with a brain scan. This is because there is no exact method to confirm the presence of this disorder at the current time. Thus, doctors tend to eliminate several false causes or conditions with similar symptoms, such as delirium, normal pressure hydrocephalus, or vitamin B12 deficiency. [8.1] [8.2]
