Loss of initiative. Anyone can become tired of routine obligations, but the person with Alzheimer's disease may become passive and require prompting to engage in even familiar activities. Currently there is no single diagnostic test for Alzheimer's disease. Some of these conditions are nutritional deficiencies, brain tumors, head injuries, stroke, metabolic disorders, and drug reactions. However, confirmation of Alzheimer's disease requires examination of brain tissue, usually performed at autopsy.
Many conditions can cause dementia.
Dementia related to depression, drug interaction, thyroid and other problems may be reversible if detected early. It is important to identify the actual cause in order to receive proper care. Alzheimer's disease is the leading cause of dementia. Examples include misplacing car keys or forgetting the name of a person you just met. AAMI typically does not interfere with one's daily life.