The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease includes a series of steps and exams, as explained by neuroscientists Sonia Brookly and Jerusa Smid, from HCFMUSP, Das Clinicas Hospital, Sao Paulo University of Medicine (HCFMUSP), during CNN is vital signs This Saturday (3). The process begins with the patient’s complaint or a member of the family retreat.
The first step is the objective evaluation that the doctor does, using cognitive tests that evaluate attention, memory and executive function. These tests are essential to confirm the complaints submitted or, in some cases, ignore suspicions of dementia.
Complementary investigation
After confirming complaints, a series of blood tests is requested. This includes assessing the function of the thyroid, kidneys, liver, vitamin B12 and even pink disease tests. In addition, the “brain image” is either by tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, ideal for diagnosis.
Based on these typical clinical tests and image, doctors can perform a clinical diagnosis accurately in 95 % of cases. However, in specific situations, as in patients who suffer from this The beginning of the disease early (65 years ago in learners or 60 years of illiterate), it may be necessary to deepen the investigation.
Advanced exams
For cases that generate doubts, more sophisticated tests can be done. These include pets (tomography of bosterone emissions) with glucose, which determines more or less areas of the brain, and reveals distinctive patterns of various diseases.
Another advanced examination is the Meld Ameloid, which is considered the current “gold standard”. This examination allows you, in the actual time, the deposition of amyloid protein in the brain, an important sign of Alzheimer’s.
S. Early and accurate diagnosis Alzheimer’s is crucial to managing appropriate diseases, allowing the most effective therapeutic interventions and planning the best patient care.
