A thorough history of the patient’s medical past and present is carefully evaluated so that the doctor can plan the treatment process or find out if there is any other medical problem. The patient history pertains to medications being taken, current health status, living conditions, family medical status, mental state and other information. During this time, the doctor will also check the patient’s reflexes, balance, coordination, ability to get up from a chair and walk across the room, sense of touch and sight, and muscle tone and strength.

This takes about 10 minutes during which time the patient is given a small status test to check the memory and other mental skills such as problem solving, counting, memory and attention span. This will help the doctor in determining whether there is any damage to the different parts of the brain.

The overall physical condition of the patient can best be assessed with physical examination and is part of the patient care process. This examination includes the entire region of the body, height of the patient, weight, skin, chest and lungs, and vital signs such as blood pressure, body temperature and pulse. This examination helps the doctor to get a clearer picture about the problem and thereupon, the plan of treatment will be determined. 

This test is undertaken to rule out any other problems in the chest area which may be causing the symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s. The X-ray images can be viewed by the doctor as it gives a proper structure of the chest, including the lungs and the heart. This test is important for the diagnosis of any conditions and applies suitably for Alzheimer ‘s disease as well. 

Blood test and urinalysis can help the doctor to rule out the other causes of memory loss such as vitamin deficiencies or thyroid disorders. The blood test may reveal the presence of a specific gene which has been identified as a potential risk factor for Alzheimer’s. Urinalysis evaluates other abnormalities such as low protein or sugar level. It also helps in ruling out other disorders which may be causing the similar symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and, in some cases, spinal fluid is also taken as a sample. 

Multiple X-ray images from various angles of the body can be taken in a very short time through a CT scan. These images are then screened on the computer and appear like slices through the body. Through these images, the doctor can see if there is atrophy or reduction in the brain size which is a clear symptom of later stages of Alzheimer’s. 

Without the use of X-rays, the human body is given a very clear, precise images on the MRI or Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Radio waves, large magnet and a computer are the components of the MRI. MRI helps in depicting the functioning and structural changes in the brain in the case of Alzheimer’s, and it also helps to rule out dementia caused by strokes or brain tumor. 

This test is used for the condition and diagnostic treatment required for Alzheimer’s disease by studying the relationship between the patient’s behavior and the brain. It pertains to the study of the patient’s visual-spatial issues, memory, remembering words and names, concentration and the ability to understand. This test is undertaken and accompanied by a comprehensive assessment of the patient by the doctor. This helps the doctor and the family members to be well prepared and for better understanding of this debilitating disease. 

Using a low level radioactive tracer, the patient’s vein is injected with a tracer for a PET scan which is a three dimensional imaging technique. Containing a special glucose, the tracer flows through the brain, while the image shows the various activities in the brain on a computer. This test typically shows which part of the brain may not be functioning and may also detect the brain level of plaques. These plaques are considered as a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease.