Alzheimer’s disease, the leading form of dementia estimated to affect nearly 6 million Americans, is at the forefront of medical research. Despite the mysteries surrounding its cause and cure, there is significant progress towards innovative treatments. Early detection of Alzheimer’s opens the door to vital resources, advanced treatments and supportive communities. Symptoms like memory loss and confusion don’t exclusively indicate the signs of Alzheimer’s disease; they can also point to other health issues.
Carolinas Imaging Services supports your healthcare provider with top-tier imaging technologies, such as CT scans and MRI, to accurately diagnose Alzheimer’s disease or explore other diagnoses, empowering you with clarity during the diagnostic process.
CT and MRI Scans: Vital Tools for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease
The diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia is based on multiple factors. Your physician will need a combination of medical history, physical examinations, laboratory tests and an overview of changes in daily behavior to assess potential dementia. However, imaging increasingly plays an important role in diagnosis, especially when it comes to ruling out other problems. Some common imaging modalities used for Alzheimer’s diagnosis include:
- Computed tomography (CT). This advanced X-ray technology can detect structural brain changes that could indicate Alzheimer’s.
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This machine uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create a detailed picture of the brain that can show common signs of cognitive impairment.
MRI is especially useful for identifying cerebral microbleeds, tiny bleeding in brain blood vessels. These microbleeds are linked to cognitive decline and may signal Alzheimer’s, helping rule out other conditions.
Read More: Safety Measures During MRI Scans
Early Signs of Alzheimer’s Disease
While many people experience memory lapses as they age, there’s a big difference between the forgetfulness that is a normal part of aging and the cognitive decline that signals Alzheimer’s. Early signs of Alzheimer’s can include:
- Asking the same questions over and over
- Confusion with time or places
- Difficulty performing tasks during work or social activities
- Forgetting things right after reading them
- Misplacing things
- Mood or personality changes
- Poor judgment
- Problems planning or organizing
- Struggles with judging distance while driving
- Trouble remembering the right word or name
- Withdrawal from activities they once enjoyed
Many of these symptoms can be caused by other, more easily treatable conditions, such as vitamin deficiencies, medication side effects, or urinary tract infections (UTIs). If simple explanations cannot rule out the cause of symptoms, you may need imaging for further diagnosis.
Excluding Other Conditions
Not all memory lapses are definitive signs of Alzheimer’s disease. Getting screened at the first sign of symptoms can help you get treatment for other conditions that could be causing your problems.
For example, CT imaging can show conditions that could cause changes in memory and behavior, such as brain bleeds (hematoma), stroke or tumor. An MRI scan may also show signs of other types of dementia.
Read More: 12 Conditions a Chest CT Scan or MRI Scan Can Help Your Doctor Diagnose
The Importance of Early Detection
November is Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month. Early detection of this disease can have a big impact on how it progresses. Benefits of early detection include:
- Improved access to support. Having a diagnosis means that you can be involved in helping your family members plan for your long-term future.
- Starting treatment earlier. Although there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s, new treatments or clinical trials may help if you are still in the early stages of the disease.
The sooner you have a diagnosis and treatment plan, the sooner brain imaging techniques may be able to monitor your disease progression. Carolinas Imaging Services provides a cost-effective and convenient solution for patients requiring imaging for the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.