Diagnosis

There is currently no single test that can tell if a person has Alzheimer's disease. The diagnosis is made through a systematic assessment that eliminates other possible causes.

A number of health care professionals may be involved in making the diagnosis. They will look for problems with the person's memory, reasoning ability, language and judgment, and how these affect day-to-day function.

The process includes:

  • medical history
  • mental status exam
  • physical exam
  • laboratory tests
  • psychiatric and psychological evaluations