WORLD’S FIRST RAPID BLOOD TEST FOR ALZHEIMERS DISEASE10 May 2021 14:57
How does a GP test for dementia?
CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO PHYSICAL TESTS FOR DEMENTIA, SUCH AS A BLOOD TEST OR SCAN! There are, however, a range of tests that GPs will do, to rule out any other physical causes for the problems you are having. This might include blood tests to check for deficiencies or abnormalities. Other mental health conditions will also be ruled out such as depression, stress and anxiety. The test for depression a GP will give you is also a series of questions, about how you feel.
In addition, a GP might ask you a series of questions to establish if you are having problems with your concentration, memory, reasoning and spatial awareness. These might include asking what is the day, time or year; who the Prime Minister is; and asking you to perform a task, such as counting backwards from 100.
If you are taking a relative to the doctor about their memory, it is worth telling the GP any facts about your relative which might affect this test: for instance, someone who worked as an accountant or who has always been very good with numbers might continue to be good with numbers even with dementia. So, counting backwards from 100 might not be a good indication of cognitive impairment in that person.
If the GP does suspect that you or your relative might have some sort of cognitive impairment, they will probably refer you to a Memory Assessment Team/ Clinic or a dementia specialist.
Some symptoms of dementia can also look like depression, such as sleepiness or insomnia, and a lack of interest in things. Because of the similar symptoms, it is possible for people with dementia to be misdiagnosed with depression.
What tests for dementia will a Memory Assessment Clinic or specialist perform?
A member of the Memory Assessment Team will speak with you and your family member to find out more about the issues you are experiencing. They will want to know when the symptoms started, how this affects everyday living, and what you have been doing to try to manage this. They will also conduct a range of tests to examine your thinking and memory skills.
If you have suspected dementia, your Memory Clinic or specialist might perform a more detailed examination of your brain. This might be a CT (computed tomography) or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan. This involves lying down in a large tube which either uses; magnets and radio waves (MRI scan) or X-rays (CT scan) to take very detailed pictures of the inside of your brain. These pictures can then be used to assess if there is damage to your brain, and in what part, which can allow the specialist to make a diagnosis of dementia and tell you what type of dementia you have. This information is important because the type of dementia you have affects the treatment that is available to you, as well as helping to explain what issues you might develop in the future.
The above is an extract from Dementia UK link to follow
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