About Alzheimer's Disease: Diagnosis

What should I do if I'm worried about memory loss or possible Alzheimer's?

Doctor is giving a diagnosis to an elderly woman patient

If you are concerned about changes in memory and thinking or changes in senses, behavior, mood, or movement that do not seem normal in yourself or a family member (see Symptoms for more information), talk with a doctor. A doctor can administer a brief memory screening test that can help detect problems, and can also do a complete exam to find out if a physical or mental health issue is causing the problem.

How is Alzheimer’s disease diagnosed?

A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be made only through autopsy after death, by linking clinical measures with an examination of brain tissue. However, doctors have several methods and tools to help them determine fairly accurately whether a person who is having memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s disease” (symptoms may be due to another cause), “probable Alzheimer’s disease” (no other cause for the symptoms can be found), or some other problem.
To diagnose Alzheimer’s, doctors may:

ask questions about overall health, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality
conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language
carry out standard medical tests, such as blood and urine tests, to identify other possible causes of the problem
perform brain scans, such as computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to distinguish Alzheimer’s from other possible causes for symptoms

These tests may be repeated to give doctors information about how the person’s health and memory are changing over time. Tests can also help diagnose other causes of memory problems, such as mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia.
For more information, see Understanding Memory Loss.

What are options for further assessment and diagnosis?

If a primary care doctor suspects mild cognitive impairment or possible Alzheimer’s, he or she may refer you to a specialist who can provide a detailed diagnosis, or you may decide to go to a specialist for further assessment. You can find specialists through memory clinics and centers or through local organizations or referral services. Specialists include:

Geriatricians, who manage health care in older adults. They know how the body changes as it ages and whether symptoms indicate a serious problem.
Geriatric psychiatrists, who specialize in the mental and emotional problems of older adults and can assess memory and thinking problems
Neurologists, who specialize in abnormalities of the brain and central nervous system and can conduct and review brain scans
Neuropsychologists, who can conduct tests of memory and thinking

Memory clinics and centers, including Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers, offer teams of specialists who work together to diagnose the problem. Tests often are done at the clinic or center, which can speed up diagnosis.
You may also want to get a second opinion. Diagnosis of memory and thinking problems can be challenging. Subtle signs and symptoms may be overlooked or unclear. Getting a second opinion helps confirm the diagnosis. Most doctors understand the benefit of a second opinion and will share your records if you permit. A specialist can refer you to another doctor for a second opinion, or you may decide to find one yourself.

What are the benefits of early diagnosis?

Early, accurate diagnosis is beneficial for several reasons. Beginning treatment early on in the disease process can help preserve function for some time, even though the underlying Alzheimer’s process cannot be changed.
Having an early diagnosis helps people with Alzh and their families:

plan for the future
make living arrangements
take care of financial and legal matters
develop support networks

In addition, an early diagnosis can provide greater opportunities for people with Alzheimer’s disease to get involved in clinical trials. Clinical trials are research studies in which scientists test the safety, side effects, or effectiveness of a medication or other intervention.
To learn more about Alzheimer's disease clinical trials, see Participating in Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials and Studies Fact Sheet or go to the Alzheimer's Disease Clinical Trials Database.

What new methods for diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease are being studied?

Scientists are exploring ways to help physicians diagnose Alzheimer’s disease earlier and more accurately. The ultimate goal is a reliable, valid, and inexpensive diagnostic test that can be used in any doctor’s office.
Some studies focus on changes in personality and mental functioning, measured through memory and recall tests, which might point to early Alzheimer’s or predict whether individuals are at higher risk of developing the disease. Other studies are examining the relationship between early damage to brain tissue and outward clinical signs.
Another very promising area of diagnostic research is the analysis of body fluids—blood and cerebrospinal fluid—to look for the proteins tau and beta-amyloid which are commonly found in people with Alzheimer’s. In addition, scientists have developed sophisticated imaging systems that may help measure the earliest changes in brain function or structure to identify people in the very first stages of Alzheimer’s—well before they develop obvious signs or symptoms.

Learn more

For more information on the new developments in diagnostic research for Alzheimer’s disease, see the section in Alzheimer’s Disease: Unraveling the Mystery, "New Techniques Help in Diagnosing AD."
For information on new changes to the way Alzheimer's disease is diagnosed, see "Alzheimer's diagnostic guidelines updated for first time in decades" and related FAQs about the new diagnostic guidelines.

NIA Information on Diagnosis

Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease
What You Need to Know This 19-page booklet describes what happens when someone has Alzheimer’s disease and how it differs from normal aging. Read about when to see the doctor, possible treatments, and how patients and caregivers can get help...
Alzheimer's Disease Fact Sheet
Alzheimer’s disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disease that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills, and eventually even the ability to carry out the simplest tasks. In most people with Alzheimer’s, symptoms first appear...
Forgetfulness: Knowing When To Ask For Help
Maria has been a teacher for 35 years. Teaching fills her life and gives her a sense of accomplishment, but recently she has begun to forget details and has become more and more disorganized. At first, she laughed it off, but her memory problems...
Alzheimer's Disease: Unraveling the Mystery
An essential primer on Alzheimer’s disease, this 80-page publication describes how the brain works and how it changes with age in healthy people and people with Alzheimer’s. Research on causes, diagnosis, prevention, potential treatments...
What Happens Next?
Introduction As Americans live longer, more of us will develop dementia in our older years. New knowledge and techniques are helping doctors detect signs of the disease earlier than ever before. An earlier diagnosis gives people with the...