Diagnosis and Treatment

With all the progress of the past decade, we as physicians can now diagnose Alzheimer's Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment both with high accuracy, and in very early stages of the disease.  In 2002 I wrote the Self Test for clinical diagnostic use and last year adapted it for computer use so that you as a consumer can regularly screen your brain health and know as early as possible if your symptoms warrant a visit to the physician.  Here I will discuss diagnostic options, as well as current and new treatments becoming available.  This section is a work in progress and will be updated regularly.

If you or a loved one have begun experiencing problems with memory, mood, judgment or orientation, it’s important that you see your doctor right away for a thorough evaluation. See our symptoms page for more information on this. Proven early warning screening tests can be effective in convincing someone that a visit to the doctor is necessary.

The doctor will want to review your medical history as well as perform a physical exam. It’s important to rule out other potential causes of symptoms. You may be referred to a specialist, such as a neurologist, who specializes in disorders of the brain. The neurologist will likely run a range of cognitive tests to confirm a potential diagnosis and help establish a baseline, if you do indeed show signs of the disease.

While there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, there are many treatments available to help manage the symptoms and prolong the patient’s ability to function normally. By simply delaying the progression of symptoms we can extend the patients quality of life and ensure that they have extra time to participate in long term care decisions.

There are a number of pharmaceutical drugs, such as cholinesterase inhibitors (CEIs), and memantine, which can delay the worsening of symptoms for months to a year. Vitamin E is also sometimes used to help delay the onset of symptoms. Other new drugs are being studied that may be able to improve brain function. Check back often for new information on the exciting research being done in the Alzheimer’s field.

In addition to medications that help with symptoms, we know of many holistic approaches which have been shown to ease symptoms and in some cases delay progression of the disease. These include:

• Eliminating clutter and noise
  
• Developing daily routines, and stick to them
• Exercise - both physical and cognitive. Walking 1 mile a day has been shown to have a very positive impact on Alzheimer's symptoms. Cognitive exercises have also shown great benefit in keeping the mind sharp and agile.
• Diet - eating foods high in antioxidants (i.e.: tomates, green, leafy vegetables) and Omega 3 fatty acids (i.e.: Salmon, Halibut) are showing signs of helping to clear out and prevent the plaque in the brain that is related to Alzheimer's Disease.
• Vitamin E - 400IU's daily has also shown some promise in helping patients

There has been promising results on dietary supplements for memory loss and prevention. Click here to learn more about our recommendations for dietary supplements.

Again, we will continue to update this page so check back regularly, or better yet, sign up for our newsletter (at the bottom of the main page) and we will keep you informed of updates and breaking news in the world of Alzheimer's Disease.