With increasing interest in predicting the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, it is important that we are aware of available screening methods and of the appropriateness of each.
Cognitive Assessments: Traditionally performed by a specialized medical professional to measure short-term memory loss and other important areas of cognition. These exams are now mandated under the Medicare’s Annual Wellness Visit benefit. However, because there is no universally accepted testing method, physicians are free to use a variety of approaches including traditional written tests and newer computerized testing methods.
Some companies have also begun offering in-home testing alternatives. These are great for historical comparisons, to gauge any potential progression of a memory-impairing disorder, but evaluations of individual results are often best left to a trained professional.
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Biomarker Tests: Recently there has been a lot of attention – and debate – surrounding the use of biomarker tests for Alzheimer’s and dementia. Although they have shown to be among the most effective tests for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia, the procedures are often costly or intrusive. There are currently three methods available for a biomarker screening of Alzheimer’s.
One is by measuring beta-amyloid and tau protein levels in the cerebrospinal fluid. This method however requires a lumbar puncture, often referred to as a spinal tap, which involves having a long needle inserted in the spine.
Another – and arguably the most promising in this category – is by detecting changes in the brain through the use of neuroimaging. Neuroimaging refers to techniques that allow researchers to, directly or indirectly, picture the structure and function or effects of treatments to the brain; these include PET scans and molecular imaging technologies.
There are also blood tests that can detect the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, but only one in Australia has been validated against brain scans and other diagnostic screenings. However, this and other blood tests are typically available only in research studies. Researchers hope to develop a standardized method of measurement and benchmarking of blood tests, as this seems to be the least intrusive of the available biomarker screenings.
According to the site MyBrainTest.org, biomarker testing is not recommended by The National Institute on Aging or the Alzheimer’s Association. This is due to conflicting research data and lack of standardization.
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Genetic Testing: This screening method is fairly common for detecting a person’s disposition to a particular disease, but not as useful in predicting the onset of Alzheimer’s. This is because lifestyle factors play an important role in the development and progression of memory-impairing diseases. The one exception is if there is a strong family history of early onset Alzheimer’s (before 65), also known as Familial Alzheimer’s disease.
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