Massively increased ventricles, white and gray matter atrophy. Neurofibrillary tangles consisting of hyperphosphoralated material from microtubule assembly are seen histopathologically.
Beta amyloid accumulates extracellularly - seen in other pathologies as well.
Clinical presentation of Alzheimer's - cognitive, functional, behavioral. MRI if indicated. Neuropsychologic evaluation can be very useful in helping to make the diagnosis. Alcohol and drug abuse are frequently uncovered in the assessment of a patient presenting with dementia. This also was seen in functional and behavioral measures.