Screening for Alzheimer’s Disease
En Español (Spanish Version)The purpose of screening is early diagnosis and treatment. Screening tests are usually administered to people without any current symptoms, but who may be at high risk for certain diseases or conditions.
There are several tests that doctors may use to screen for
Alzheimer's disease
. Examples include:
- Neurological exam—This exam tests the nervous system (brain, spinal cord, nerves, and muscles) for evidence of other neurological disorders.
-
Wechsler's Logical Memory and Visual Reproduction and Kendrick Object Learning Test—These test may be used if you have
depressive
symptoms.
- Seven-Minute Screen
- Mini-Mental State Exam
- Memory Impairment Screening
- Self-assessment cognitive test—This is a test that you take on your own to assess your memory.
Genetic testing is available, but it is not routinely used in most patients. Researchers are also studying whether imaging tests would be helpful in screening for Alzheimer's disease.
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. 2010;9(7):560-74.
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.
2009;9(5):345-352.
7/6/2009 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance
http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php
: Brown J, Pengas G, Dawson K, Brown LA, Clatworthy P. Self administered cognitive screening test (TYM) for detection of Alzheimer's disease: cross sectional study.
BMJ
.
2009;338:b2030.
Last Reviewed September 2011