An Alzheimer's Test is a tool that helps doctors determine if someone has Alzheimer's Disease. Alzheimers is the most common form of Dementia, a condition where the brain is impaired and memories are lost or cannot be accessed. The disease is named after Alois Alzheimer, the doctor who first described it in 1906.http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp
One of the problems with diagnosing Alzheimer's Disease is that the plaques and tangles in brain tissue which characterize the disease can't be viewed until after death, during an autopsy. For this reason, the diagnosis of Alzheimer's Disease involves the process of elimination. Doctors test for other conditions that might cause memory and brain fuction loss. If no other cause can be found, the doctors decide that the memory loss is caused by Alzheimer's Disease.http://www.alz.org/alzheimers_disease_what_is_alzheimers.asp
On August 10, 2010, CBC News reported that Belgian researchers claim Alzheimer's can be predicted with accuracy by analyzing biomarkers in spinal fluid.http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2010/08/10/alzheimer-predict-test.html
On July 12, 2009, Bayer reported that it had identified a marker, Florbetaben, that could successfully identify Alzheimer's by a blood test 80% of the time. Testing is being conducted to confirm the results.http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE56B0YZ20090712<ref> In 2010 - 2012, Affiris is testing a vaccine against Alzheimer's Disease. If the tests are successful, the disease may be preventable in the near future.<ref>http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5g12ttP6Rqd4qsrdtnoCZkkb57M8w
The tests below on this page are tests for impaired brain function. It is up to a doctor to determine the cause and treatment of the impaired brain function.
CST Alzheimer's Test
This is a simple and quick test that a person can take alone online or in their family doctor's office. This test that was developed at the University of Tennessee and released in 2010 is more than 95% accurate in identifying Alzheimer's Disease and other forms of Dementia.http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/03/100311111733.htm
TYM Alzheimer's Test
On June 10, 2009, the British Medical Journal reported resuts of a study involving "Test Your Memory" (TYM), a cognitive function screening tool. 540 peope were evaluated, and the test correctly identified 93% of those who had previously been diagnosed with Alzheimer's.http://www.abcnews.go.com/GMA/Alzheimers/story?id=7799303&page=13
Disclaimer
The content in this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact your doctor if you are concerned about Alzheimer's disease.
Self Administered Geo-cognitive Examination for Alzheimer's (SAGE)
A new handwritten Alzheimer's test has been developed by Ohio State University Neurologist Douglas Scharre. People fill out the test at their convenience, and then send it in to their doctor for evaluation. It only takes 15 minutes to fill out the test. The Alzheimer's Association says the test can also be taken to a health fair for evaluation. It is hoped that this new screening tool will help people get to the doctor earlier.
References
Fast Facts
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No test can
Diagnose Alzheimer's disease 100% of the time.
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Genetic testing for
APOE e4 can indicate a greater than average risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.
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Impaired Brain Function
Can be diagnosed by many tests, but it is up to a doctor to determine the cause.
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Brain Scanning
By CT, PET and MRI technology is promising, but not quite sufficient yet to diagnose Alzheimer's 100% accurately.
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Self Screening Tests
Should not be used in place of seeing a doctor.
