Diagnostic Tests and Procedures

The clock-drawing test: What is it, how is it scored, and is it an effective screen for Alzheimer's and other dementia? How does the clock-drawing test compare to the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE)?

Imaging procedures produce detailed pictures of the brain to detect changes in brain structure or size that are common among those with Alzheimer's disease. Learn about the most common imaging procedures used in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's, including CT scans, MRIs, and PET scans.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may detect signs of Alzheimer's disease even before mental impairment becomes obvious, though it hasn't yet been confirmed as a foolproof diagnostic tool. Learn about MRI, its current uses and future prospects in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease.

Neuropsychological testing is sometimes used in the evaluation of Alzheimer's disease to learn more about the nature and level of a person's impairment. Learn about neuropsychological tests commonly used to diagnose Alzheimer's disease, such as the ADAS-Cog, Blessed Test, CANTAB, Clock Drawing Test, Cognistat, and NPI.

Although science is getting closer, there's still no simple test for Alzheimer's disease. Instead, physicians rule out other causes of symptoms such as memory loss, confusion, and difficulty executing simple tasks. Alzheimer's diagnosis almost always includes blood testing. Learn more about the blood tests involved with Alzheimer's disease diagnosis and what else these tests may discover.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke developed this explanatory publication to help families understand what happens during a neurological exam, which screening tests are most commonly used, and how different tests and procedures help pinpoint diseases.

Of the increasing number of available tests that screen for Alzheimer's disease, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) has been used in memory clinics, community settings, and academic settings.

Of the many existing tests that screen for Alzheimer's, the MMSE is widely used and reliable. Taking about 10 minutes to complete, the MMSE measures aspects of cognition that include orientation, word recall, attention and calculation, language abilities, and visual construction. Scores may need to be adjusted or interpreted differently to account for a person's age, educational level, an…

The Mini-Cog is a rapid Alzheimer's screening test that takes only 3-5 minutes to administer. It combines 3-item recall with the clock-drawing test to determine whether someone does or does not have dementia. It is extremely accurate as an assessment tool, but as with other screening tools does not substitute for a thorough diagnostic work-up.

The AD8 is an 8-item questionnaire that can be administered by a caregiver at home or in the doctor's office. Two or more "yes" answers are highly suggestive of having dementia, and unlike other Alzheimer's tests the AD8 detects changes in function in addition to cognitive symptoms.

Of the increasing number of available tests that screen for Alzheimer's disease, the Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS) may be especially helpful in the early detection of cognitive impairment.

Several brief and reliable tests are now available to screen for Alzheimer's Disease or other dementias . While they are screening tests that shouldn't substitute for a full diagnostic evaluation , they may be done in the office, the waiting room, or even at home before your appointment. They are appropriate for identifying potential cognitive problems in people who may be worried about whether …

Florbetapir is a PET scanning radiopharmaceutical compound that was created and tested as a diagnostic tool in Alzheimer's disease. By binding to amyloid-beta that accumulates in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease, florbetapir was shown to correlate well with actual pathology results found at autopsy.