New Test Not Proven to Diagnose Alzheimer's

Alzheimer's Association
Thursday, 2 April 1998

Newly published research describes a relatively brief set of tests that might detect early cognitive decline, but is not an acceptable method for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association.

"There is a great need for primary care physicians to get good, reliable information about whether or not their patients have dementia. Current methods are time consuming, and it would be beneficial if a simple, reliable test could be developed," said Zaven Khachaturian, Ph.D., director of the Association's Ronald & Nancy Reagan Research Institute.

"The testing battery described in the study is a worthwhile, though preliminary, effort in the right direction," Khachaturian said. "The findings need to be replicated using larger groups of people and field-tested in actual primary care situations, before we can recommend widespread use of the tests." "A 7 Minute Neurocognitive Screening Battery Highly Sensitive to Alzheimer's Disease," by Paul Solomon, Ph.D. of Williams College, Williamstown, MA and colleagues, appeared in the March 1998 issue of Archives of Neurology.

"Another reason we need to see additional studies of this test is to determine whether it can distinguish Alzheimer's disease from other dementias. We do not know that now," Khachaturian said.

"With further research, we may find that this series of relatively easy to administer screening tests is a good indicator of the need for a full diagnostic workup," Khachaturian said. "However, it is not a substitute for a thorough diagnostic evaluation."

The Association supports the development of screening tools that aid in early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. According to the Association, wider use of brief cognitive screens could assist in identifying cases of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Many things can cause dementia, which is a decline in intellectual ability severe enough to interfere with a person's daily routine. One important reason for people who suspect dementia to get a diagnosis is so the physician can look for causes of cognitive decline other than Alzheimer's. Dementia related to depression, drug interaction, thyroid problems and certain vitamin deficiencies, for example, may be reversible, if detected early. Other causes of dementia include strokes, Huntington's disease and Parkinson's disease. Alzheimer's disease, which affects an estimated 4 million Americans, is the most common cause of dementia.

"It is important to identify the actual cause of the dementia in order for the person to receive the proper care," said Steven DeKosky, M.D., chair of the Association's Medical and Scientific Advisory Council.

Too often people wrongly assume that memory loss, decline in mental abilities and disorientation are a normal part of the aging process, according to the Association. They actually may be symptoms of Alzheimer's disease, requiring a physician's assessment and care. Risk for Alzheimer's disease increases significantly after age 65 and when a person has a family history of the disease.

"We encourage doctors and older people to pay closer attention to the warning signs of Alzheimer's," Khachaturian said.

According to the Association, the 10 warning signs of Alzheimer's disease are:

- Memory Loss

- Difficulty Performing Familiar Tasks

- Problems with Language

- Disorientation of Time and Place

- Poor or Decreased Judgment

- Problems with Abstract Thinking

- Misplacing Things

- Changes in Mood or Behavior

- Changes in Personality

- Loss of Initiative

People who know someone who exhibits these symptoms, or who experience the symptoms themselves, should see a physician. The Association has a brochure titled, "Is It Alzheimer's? Warning Signs You Should Know." Copies are available by calling the Alzheimer's Association at (800) 272-3900.

The Alzheimer's Association is the largest national voluntary health organization dedicated to research for the causes, treatments, prevention and cure of Alzheimer's disease and to providing education and support services to the four million Americans with the disease, their families and caregivers.

For more information, or to contact Alzheimer's Association, see their website at: www.alz.org