What are the diagnostic tests used for Alzheimer's disease?

Maurizio Grimaldi

There are no specific laboratory tests that can tell unequivocally that you have Alzheimer’s disease. Brain imaging can detect lesions that can suggest a possible Alzheimer’s case.

A number of tests needs to be performed to eliminate other possible causes of Alzheimer’s like symptoms. The diagnosis is done by memory and cognition performance evaluation using specific non invasive tests. These tests, assesses learning and retention of short term memory.

They are very powerful and can distinguish normal aging-related memory deterioration and Alzheimer’s marked memory and learning deterioration. Together with other indices derived from brain imaging clinical and personal history you can conclude that the patient is suffering from Alzheimer’s symptoms.

Maurizio Grimaldi, MD, Ph.D. is the Leader of the Neuropharmacology/neuroscience Laboratory at Southern Research Institute in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Grimaldi graduated from medical school magna cum laude from the University of Napoli in Italy, one of the oldest and most prestigious academic institutions in Italy. Specializing in clinical pharmacology, Dr. Grimaldi obtained his PhD in neuropharmacology and toxicology from the same University. At Southern Research Dr. Grimaldi directs the laboratory of neuropharmacology where he conducts researches on brain physiology and  on novel treatment agents for CNS diseases such as Alzheimer’s and brain tumors. Dr. Grimaldi also directs the commercial activities for the Neuropharmacology Laboratory at Southern Research, including low-throughput screening. He is co-investigator in the NIH-NINDS Drug Screening for Neurodegenerative Diseases and Stroke. In this capacity, he supervises assay transfer from submitting investigators to the high-throughput screening facility.Visit him at www.SouthernResearch.com.