My dad has ALZ. On hospice. Can't communicate well. He has a weekly nurse that comes by. But he does everything so fast. Anyway. He says my dad may be having TIA's. But I'm not sure. How do you tell in an Alz patient who cannot always speak clearly and words are not clear? Is it a mini stroke?
the problem with this is you have to have something to compare it with...previous scan.... and the cost of these scans.
when someone has a stroke they do a scan quickly. Before giving a patient the drug to break up blood clots they need to know it is a blood clot and not bleeding in the brain. BUT..follow up scans are not done because the insurance company will not cover it. Since everything that can be done for the patient is already being done, there is no outcome improvements that can result from follow up scans.
so...that is the long explanation...the short one is: there is no conclusive single test, and unless you are willing to pay for it yourself...there will not be multiple tests done to uncover the changes that would show ongoing damage. And even if you know for sure...what would you change?