Who should I go to if I suspect Alzheimer's disease?
Dr. Maurizio Grimaldi
Your family doctor can suspect the disease but they may not be qualified to diagnosis the disease. Therefore they can request that you see a specialist.
Usually, Alzheimer’s disease is best diagnosed by a neurologist experienced in the disease diagnosis. Other professionals can be involved in the diagnosis making process.
A psychologist or psychiatrist may be useful to rule out certain conditions that can mimic Alzheimer’s disease such as depression. Therefore, the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease is usually one of exclusion.
When all possible organic causes of learning and memory problems have been ruled out and all the tests are compatible with possible Alzheimer’s disease a diagnosis is made.
Sometimes before the diagnostic process is completed, especially in very mild or initial cases, the diagnosis cannot be made accurately. In a few cases the entire diagnostic period can last a relatively long time.
Maurizio Grimaldi, MD, Ph.D. is the Leader of the Neuropharmacology/neuroscience Laboratory at Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Specializing Dr. Grimaldi directs the laboratory of neuropharmacology where he conducts research on brain physiology and treatment agents for CNS diseases such as Alzheimer’s and brain tumors. Visit him at www.SouthernResearch.com.