Diagnosing Alzheimer's disease would likely include the following tests: Physical and neurological exam A health care professional will perform a physical exam. A neurological exam may include testing: Reflexes. Muscle tone and strength. Ability to get up from a chair and walk across the room. Sense of sight and hearing. Coordination. Balance.The test was designed to identify mild cognitive impairment (which sometimes progresses to full-blown dementia) as well as dementia. In studies, SAGE has been shown to detect cognitive problems as accurately as other established but more time-consuming screening tools, correctly identifying nearly 80% of people with cognitive impairment and ... A negative test result reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer’s disease, enabling physicians to pursue other causes of cognitive decline and dementia.Feb 23, 2023 · The test for the ApoE genotype can increase diagnostic confidence somewhat, but it isn’t recommended for screening purposes. Adapted with permission from Alzheimer's Disease: A guide to diagnosis, treatment, and caregiving, a special health report published by Harvard Health Publishing. Last updated or reviewed on February 23, 2023 The test was designed to identify mild cognitive impairment (which sometimes progresses to full-blown dementia) as well as dementia. In studies, SAGE has been shown to detect cognitive problems as accurately as other established but more time-consuming screening tools, correctly identifying nearly 80% of people with cognitive impairment and ... Lumipulse is a test that acts as an early detector for Alzheimer’s disease. It is recommended for patients 55 and over to determine via an inexpensive and non-invasive way if they have the benchmarkers for Alzheimer’s. This test measures the beta-amyloid proteins,1-40 and 1-42 that appear in one’s system.Blood tests to check for other conditions. Your GP will arrange for blood tests to help exclude other causes of symptoms that can be confused with dementia. In most cases, these blood tests will check: liver function. kidney function. thyroid function. HbA1c (to check for diabetes) vitamin B12 and folate levels. Mar 1, 2023 · Genetic tests are not routinely used in clinical settings to diagnose or predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. In some cases, if a person has symptoms at an early age with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s, a neurologist or other medical specialist may order a genetic test for APP , PSEN1 , and PSEN2 . The SAGE test is a convenient way to assess your cognitive function if you are concerned about your memory, word-finding abilities, or other cognitive skills. However, it's important to show your healthcare provider your results so that they can be interpreted accurately. Early detection of cognitive concerns can identify possible reversible ...Recruiting and retaining diverse trial participants is now the greatest obstacle, other than funding, to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments. Individuals with dementia, caregivers and healthy volunteers are all needed to participate in clinical studies focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. About the Alzheimer's Association ® The Alzheimer’s Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer's care, support and research. Our mission is to lead the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support.Jul 5, 2021 · SLUMS is a test consisting of a series of questions. Scores range from 0 to 30, with one point given for each correct answer. It is an excellent tool for identifying mild cognitive issues and early-stage dementia or mild dementia. This early detection allows doctors to attempt early preventive measures. Simple home test detects early signs of dementia. If you suspect that your older adult is having problems with memory, thinking, or judgement, you may want them to take the SAGE test for dementia. This at-home pen-and-paper test is free, takes just 15 minutes, and accurately identifies early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.Check blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Listen to the heart and lungs. Perform other procedures to assess overall health. Collect blood or urine samples for laboratory testing. Information from a physical exam and laboratory tests can help identify health issues that can cause symptoms of dementia.Several types of brain scans enable doctors and scientists to see different factors that may help diagnose Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans.The VFT, including both subtests, generally takes anywhere from three to ten minutes to complete from start to end. One section of this test can be completed by the individual in 60 seconds. Quite accurate in screening for dementia. As noted above, the VFT is a quick and relatively accurate way to assess someone's cognitive functioning.Jul 7, 2022 · Frank Stephens testifies at a Congressional hearing in 2017. For Frank Stephens, 40, the effort to defeat Alzheimer's is personal. One reason is that the disease has left his mother "almost ... Genetic tests are not routinely used in clinical settings to diagnose or predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. In some cases, if a person has symptoms at an early age with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s, a neurologist or other medical specialist may order a genetic test for APP , PSEN1 , and PSEN2 .Experts warn against one-time memory test events. You may see memory screenings offered at shopping malls or health fairs. Experts recommend avoiding those tests, even if they use the MMSE. Taking a quick test like these without a full medical evaluation isn’t an effective dementia screening and is more likely to cause unnecessary fear and worry.The new blood test, which performs comparably to existing brain scan- or spinal tap-based tests, could lower costs and expand the availability of diagnostic studies for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is characterized by the buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid, which forms sticky plaques on the brain and can cause brain cells to die.Use. This test is to detect the presence of the APOE4 variant, which is associated with increased risk of late-onset (age >60-65) Alzheimer's disease (AD). Testing may be considered for patients with dementia to supplement information from clinical and other evaluations. This test is not appropriate for children. Dementia test questions, and the variety of tests that healthcare providers use, are designed to help assess cognitive function and arrive at a diagnosis when dementia, including Alzheimer's disease, is suspected. One of these tests is called the 7-minute screen, or 7MS test. Tests like 7MS, the ...The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a test used to detect mild cognitive decline and early signs of dementia. It can help identify people at risk of Alzheimer's disease and screen for conditions like Parkinson's disease, brain tumors, substance abuse, and head trauma. Introduced in 2005, the ...Feb 4, 2021 · Last fall, a blood test developed by C 2 N Diagnostics in St. Louis, Mo., became available to most of the U.S. as a routine lab test—regulated under the CMS Clinical Laboratory Improvement ... Mar 1, 2023 · Genetic tests are not routinely used in clinical settings to diagnose or predict the risk of developing Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. In some cases, if a person has symptoms at an early age with a strong family history of Alzheimer’s, a neurologist or other medical specialist may order a genetic test for APP , PSEN1 , and PSEN2 . Signs of Alzheimer's and Dementia. Typical Age-Related Changes. Poor judgment and decision-making. Making a bad decision once in a while. Inability to manage a budget. Missing a monthly payment. Losing track of the date or the season.Oct 22, 2021 · Therefore, an early step in diagnosing dementia is to rule out these causes through a physical examination, blood tests and urine tests. Routine laboratory tests used in the diagnosis of dementia include: Blood tests to investigate: Drug interactions and dosing problems. Urine tests to investigate infection. The ApoE genetic test for Alzheimer’s will tell you which version of the ApoE gene you have. The test is mailed to you, performed by yourself at home, and then mailed in pre-paid packaging to a laboratory. Results are returned to you in two weeks by electronic mail. Alzheimer’s Organization technicians will answer any questions you may have ...The test was designed to identify mild cognitive impairment (which sometimes progresses to full-blown dementia) as well as dementia. In studies, SAGE has been shown to detect cognitive problems as accurately as other established but more time-consuming screening tools, correctly identifying nearly 80% of people with cognitive impairment and ... Apr 27, 2022 · The Clock-Drawing Test is a simple test that is often incorporated into other Alzheimer's screening tests. The person is asked to draw a clock, put in all the numbers, and set the hands at ten past eleven. Abnormal clock drawing tests suggest problems with memory, executive function, or visuospatial abilities. 7. This concept of a self-administered cognitive test can solve the problem of the time-crunched primary care provider. Individuals can take this test in the privacy of their own home and bring the results with them to the office. The results can then be used to determine whether additional work up and/or referral to a specialist is indicated.Several types of brain scans enable doctors and scientists to see different factors that may help diagnose Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans.Recruiting and retaining diverse trial participants is now the greatest obstacle, other than funding, to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments. Individuals with dementia, caregivers and healthy volunteers are all needed to participate in clinical studies focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. Aug 30, 2023 · Dementia Symptoms & Diagnosis & treatment Doctors & departments Care at Mayo Clinic Diagnosis To diagnose the cause of dementia, a health care professional must recognize the pattern of loss of skills and function. The care professional also determines what the person is still able to do. Apr 12, 2017 · Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, scientists have identified a number of genes that impact your risk of developing the disease. On Thursday, April 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have approved at-home genetic testing through the 23andMe Personal Genome Service Genetic Health Risk (GHR) test ... Jul 5, 2021 · SLUMS is a test consisting of a series of questions. Scores range from 0 to 30, with one point given for each correct answer. It is an excellent tool for identifying mild cognitive issues and early-stage dementia or mild dementia. This early detection allows doctors to attempt early preventive measures. The ApoE genetic test for Alzheimer’s will tell you which version of the ApoE gene you have. The test is mailed to you, performed by yourself at home, and then mailed in pre-paid packaging to a laboratory. Results are returned to you in two weeks by electronic mail. Alzheimer’s Organization technicians will answer any questions you may have ...Using mass spectrometry, Bateman and colleagues have developed a blood test that is up to 93% accurate at identifying people at risk of Alzheimer's dementia. A blood test developed at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has proven highly accurate in detecting early signs of Alzheimer’s disease in a study involving nearly 500 ...Jun 3, 2023 · Difficulty Driving. Driving may become more difficult as dementia develops, in part because of changes in the ability to understand spatial relationships. For example, navigating a turn, changing lanes, or parking a car could become a significant challenge due to a decline in visuospatial abilities. As dementia progresses, the difficult ... Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, scientists have identified a number of genes that impact your risk of developing the disease. On Thursday, April 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have approved at-home genetic testing through the 23andMe Personal Genome Service Genetic Health Risk (GHR) test ...Mini Mental State Exam. This is a brief test that checks your: Problem-solving skills. Attention span. Counting skills. Memory. These tests will help your doctor know whether there are problems ... The Alzheimer’s Association®, the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer’s care, support and research, is dedicated to driving early detection and diagnosis of dementia. To help, the Association has created an easy-to-implement process to assess cognition during the Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a simple tool that can be used to screen for dementia . It does so with a series of timed tests that can accurately assess a person's cognition (meaning ther ability to think, reason, and remember). Dementia is when the loss of these functions is severe enough to interfere with daily life.A genetic test cannot diagnose you with Alzheimer’s, it provides information on whether your risk is elevated or reduced compared to other people. A doctor evaluating someone with early signs of Alzheimer’s disease may do cognitive tests and then refer them to a specialist for further testing. Some of those additional tests may include ... The Clock-Drawing Test is a simple test that is often incorporated into other Alzheimer's screening tests. The person is asked to draw a clock, put in all the numbers, and set the hands at ten past eleven. Abnormal clock drawing tests suggest problems with memory, executive function, or visuospatial abilities. 7.Check blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Listen to the heart and lungs. Perform other procedures to assess overall health. Collect blood or urine samples for laboratory testing. Information from a physical exam and laboratory tests can help identify health issues that can cause symptoms of dementia. Alzheimer is a progressive neurodegenerative condition and one of the most common types of dementia that slowly declines a person’s memory, behavior, thinking and reasoning capabilities. Alzheimer test 12 questions asked by patients frequently and rarely and these will help to a patient to understand about alzneimer.Please read and agree to the following before beginning the Alzheimer’s / Dementia Quick Test. Note this test asks questions of the caregiver, family member or someone familiar with the individual showing symptoms. For a test that asks questions of the patient, go here. This test cannot provide a definitive diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer’s.The doctor will test you or your loved one to see if you really have Alzheimer’s. They’ll start with a physical exam and tests of your mental status. Questions to Ask Your Doctor. Here is a ...The Clock Drawing Test. Do at Home Dementia Test. This is probably the best and most widely used do at home dementia test you or a person can take to help determine if an individual has a problem with their memory. The clock drawing test is also widely used by GP’s and dementia specialists. They can be used to give a quick and simple early ...To diagnose Alzheimer's dementia, doctors conduct tests to assess memory impairment and other thinking skills, judge functional abilities, and identify behavior changes. They also perform a series of tests to rule out other possible causes of impairment. By Mayo Clinic Staff Alzheimer's dementia can be diagnosed in several different ways.Several types of brain scans enable doctors and scientists to see different factors that may help diagnose Alzheimer’s or a related dementia. Doctors also use brain scans to find evidence of other sources of damage, such as tumors or stroke, that may aid in diagnosis. Brain scans used to help diagnose dementia include CT, MRI, and PET scans.Aug 30, 2023 · Dementia Symptoms & Diagnosis & treatment Doctors & departments Care at Mayo Clinic Diagnosis To diagnose the cause of dementia, a health care professional must recognize the pattern of loss of skills and function. The care professional also determines what the person is still able to do. Your parent will need to be screened by a primary care provider then referred to a neurologist, neuropsychologist, geriatrician or geriatric psychiatrist for additional screening and tests to determine if he or she has dementia. Screening will likely include a physical exam, neurological exam, brain imaging studies and mental cognitive tests. Mar 3, 2023 · Among the main innovations of the work were its ability to detect Alzheimer’s regardless of other variables, such as age. “Alzheimer’s disease typically occurs in older adults, and so deep learning models often have difficulty in detecting the rarer early onset cases,” Leming said. “We addressed this by making the deep learning model ... Programs and services The Alzheimer Society can help you face dementia. Use this page as your guide to find support programs, dementia education and resources, referral services and more. First Link ® If you're affected by dementia, know you are not alone. The Alzheimer Society is your First Link to a community of support, expertise and more. No reliable genetic test exists for the common sporadic form of Alzheimer's disease. Therefore, for most cases, genetic testing is not recommended because, at best, it can only point to susceptibility. The testing can never predict whether a person will or will not get Alzheimer's disease. Genetic testing is only an option for families that ... SLUMS is a test consisting of a series of questions. Scores range from 0 to 30, with one point given for each correct answer. It is an excellent tool for identifying mild cognitive issues and early-stage dementia or mild dementia. This early detection allows doctors to attempt early preventive measures.Jul 5, 2021 · SLUMS is a test consisting of a series of questions. Scores range from 0 to 30, with one point given for each correct answer. It is an excellent tool for identifying mild cognitive issues and early-stage dementia or mild dementia. This early detection allows doctors to attempt early preventive measures. Draw a large face of a clock and place in the numbers.Position the hands for 10 minutes after 11 o'clock. On your clock, label "L" for the long hand and "S" for the short hand. When you're done ...The ApoE genetic test for Alzheimer’s will tell you which version of the ApoE gene you have. The test is mailed to you, performed by yourself at home, and then mailed in pre-paid packaging to a laboratory. Results are returned to you in two weeks by electronic mail. Alzheimer’s Organization technicians will answer any questions you may have ...Dec 30, 2019 · Early-Onset Alzheimer’s Disease. There is a test to learn if a person has one of the three genetic variants associated with early-onset Alzheimer's disease, which occurs between a person’s 30s and mid-60s. If someone has a family history of early-onset Alzheimer's, he or she should talk with a doctor about getting tested. Alzheimer’s Test Online. Screen your memory and cognitive function with these free online brain tests. The most common early symptom of Alzheimer’s is memory impairment, mainly with difficulty remembering newly learned information. Early symptoms of possible Alzheimer’s are often referred to as Mild Cognitive Impairment, or MCI.Jun 10, 2022 · In Alzheimer’s disease, large numbers of neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. Irreversible and progressive, Alzheimer’s disease slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. Jun 10, 2022 · In Alzheimer’s disease, large numbers of neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. Irreversible and progressive, Alzheimer’s disease slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. Jun 10, 2022 · In Alzheimer’s disease, large numbers of neurons stop functioning, lose connections with other neurons, and die. Irreversible and progressive, Alzheimer’s disease slowly destroys memory and thinking skills and, eventually, the ability to carry out the simplest tasks of daily living. The doctor will test you or your loved one to see if you really have Alzheimer’s. They’ll start with a physical exam and tests of your mental status. Questions to Ask Your Doctor. Here is a ...Dec 24, 2022 · Lumipulse is a test that acts as an early detector for Alzheimer’s disease. It is recommended for patients 55 and over to determine via an inexpensive and non-invasive way if they have the benchmarkers for Alzheimer’s. This test measures the beta-amyloid proteins,1-40 and 1-42 that appear in one’s system. APOE genotyping is sometimes used as an added test to help in the diagnosis of probable late onset Alzheimer disease (AD) in symptomatic adults. However, the association of the e4 allele with late onset AD does not mean that it causes AD, only that more people with late onset AD have e4 alleles compared to similar aged peers without late onset AD.The test was designed to identify mild cognitive impairment (which sometimes progresses to full-blown dementia) as well as dementia. In studies, SAGE has been shown to detect cognitive problems as accurately as other established but more time-consuming screening tools, correctly identifying nearly 80% of people with cognitive impairment and ... The doctor will test you or your loved one to see if you really have Alzheimer’s. They’ll start with a physical exam and tests of your mental status. Questions to Ask Your Doctor. Here is a ...May 7, 2022 · To diagnose Alzheimer's dementia, doctors conduct tests to assess memory impairment and other thinking skills, judge functional abilities, and identify behavior changes. They also perform a series of tests to rule out other possible causes of impairment. By Mayo Clinic Staff Alzheimer's dementia can be diagnosed in several different ways. The test consists of four pages. Print it out and answer the questions in ink without the assistance of others. Don't look at a clock or calendar while taking the test and just do the best you can ...1. Simple, quick tests that you can to to check someone for memory loss. 2. Quizzes you can take to asses your own risk for Alzheimer's. 3. Casual questions you can ask to see if someone's memory is impaired. 4. Web-based, more extensive tests for dementia. 5.Dec 8, 2022 · Conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language. Order blood, urine, and other standard medical tests that can help identify other possible causes of the problem. Administer a psychiatric evaluation to determine if depression or another mental health condition is causing or contributing to a person's symptoms. Although the cause of Alzheimer’s is still unknown, scientists have identified a number of genes that impact your risk of developing the disease. On Thursday, April 6, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that they have approved at-home genetic testing through the 23andMe Personal Genome Service Genetic Health Risk (GHR) test ...Neurologist Marwan Sabbagh, MD, explains the Alzheimer’s gene test and a few things to consider before taking the next step. ApoE4: A marker for Alzheimer’s risk.The Trail Making Test (TMT) is a simple tool that can be used to screen for dementia . It does so with a series of timed tests that can accurately assess a person's cognition (meaning ther ability to think, reason, and remember). Dementia is when the loss of these functions is severe enough to interfere with daily life.Lumipulse is a test that acts as an early detector for Alzheimer’s disease. It is recommended for patients 55 and over to determine via an inexpensive and non-invasive way if they have the benchmarkers for Alzheimer’s. This test measures the beta-amyloid proteins,1-40 and 1-42 that appear in one’s system.First signs. “Today” show anchor Natalie Morales says memory loss was a warning sign of Alzheimer’s in her mother-in-law. Getting checked by your doctor can help determine what's causing symptoms. If Alzheimer’s is the cause, an early diagnosis allows you: Access to treatment options: Current medications do not cure Alzheimer’s, but ... Mar 14, 2023 · Quest AD-Detect. Introduced by Quest Diagnostics, this blood test also measures beta-amyloid proteins in your blood to determine your risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease. It does not determine if you have any genetic biomarkers for the disease. The test became available in May 2022, with a cost of $500. 1. Simple, quick tests that you can to to check someone for memory loss. 2. Quizzes you can take to asses your own risk for Alzheimer's. 3. Casual questions you can ask to see if someone's memory is impaired. 4. Web-based, more extensive tests for dementia. 5.
Jul 30, 2023 · The Mini-Cog is a rapid screening test for Alzheimer's disease that takes only about three minutes to administer. Unlike other popular Alzheimer's tests that measure several aspects of cognition, such as the MMSE and the MoCA, the Mini-Cog measures only two: short-term recall and clock drawing (where a person draws numbers and arms pointed at a specific time on a paper clock). . Handm cos
Check blood pressure, temperature and pulse. Listen to the heart and lungs. Perform other procedures to assess overall health. Collect blood or urine samples for laboratory testing. Information from a physical exam and laboratory tests can help identify health issues that can cause symptoms of dementia. Step 1 – Download and print the Mini-Mental State Exam. There are multiple versions online, and they all ask roughly the same questions. The link above contains a good version that is easy to score. Step 2 – Seat your loved one, the person being tested, in a quiet and well-lit room. Ask for attention.Simple home test detects early signs of dementia. If you suspect that your older adult is having problems with memory, thinking, or judgement, you may want them to take the SAGE test for dementia. This at-home pen-and-paper test is free, takes just 15 minutes, and accurately identifies early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia.A negative test result reduces the likelihood that a patient’s cognitive impairment is due to Alzheimer’s disease, enabling physicians to pursue other causes of cognitive decline and dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association® has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement for services aimed at improving detection, diagnosis, and care planning and coordination for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers (Attea, Johns, 2010). Use. This test is to detect the presence of the APOE4 variant, which is associated with increased risk of late-onset (age >60-65) Alzheimer's disease (AD). Testing may be considered for patients with dementia to supplement information from clinical and other evaluations. This test is not appropriate for children.Dec 12, 2022 · Step 1 – Download and print the Mini-Mental State Exam. There are multiple versions online, and they all ask roughly the same questions. The link above contains a good version that is easy to score. Step 2 – Seat your loved one, the person being tested, in a quiet and well-lit room. Ask for attention. Draw a large face of a clock and place in the numbers.Position the hands for 10 minutes after 11 o'clock. On your clock, label "L" for the long hand and "S" for the short hand. When you're done ...The Alzheimer’s Association® has long advocated for Medicare reimbursement for services aimed at improving detection, diagnosis, and care planning and coordination for patients with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) and their caregivers (Attea, Johns, 2010). The new blood test, which performs comparably to existing brain scan- or spinal tap-based tests, could lower costs and expand the availability of diagnostic studies for Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is characterized by the buildup of a protein called beta-amyloid, which forms sticky plaques on the brain and can cause brain cells to die.Early-onset familial Alzheimer’s disease is passed down as an autosomal dominant disease, which means that inheriting at least one copy of the mutant gene from one parent will result in developing the disease. 7 These tests can also be used to diagnose the disease in people who have already started to show symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer ... Alzheimer is a progressive neurodegenerative condition and one of the most common types of dementia that slowly declines a person’s memory, behavior, thinking and reasoning capabilities. Alzheimer test 12 questions asked by patients frequently and rarely and these will help to a patient to understand about alzneimer.The Clock Drawing Test. Do at Home Dementia Test. This is probably the best and most widely used do at home dementia test you or a person can take to help determine if an individual has a problem with their memory. The clock drawing test is also widely used by GP’s and dementia specialists. They can be used to give a quick and simple early ...Recruiting and retaining diverse trial participants is now the greatest obstacle, other than funding, to developing the next generation of Alzheimer's treatments. Individuals with dementia, caregivers and healthy volunteers are all needed to participate in clinical studies focused on Alzheimer's and other dementias. These tests can therefore help doctors work out what's happening, but they should never be used by themselves to diagnose dementia. Other tests. To rule out other possible causes of your symptoms and look for possible signs of damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, your specialist may recommend having a brain scan. This could be a:These tests can therefore help doctors work out what's happening, but they should never be used by themselves to diagnose dementia. Other tests. To rule out other possible causes of your symptoms and look for possible signs of damage caused by Alzheimer's disease, your specialist may recommend having a brain scan. This could be a:.