Reality check AD is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning that if no other cause is found for a patient's symptoms, AD is diagnosed. Symptoms may include memory loss, aggression, paranoia, impaired judgement, and depression. Chemical and imaging tests are still unable to track its progress. There is significant disagreement within the Alzheimer's disease research community about which tests are most valid. The case for early testing With mounting evidence indicating that brain deterioration begins long before symptoms appear, physicians are becoming more aggressive about early diagnosis so that treatment can be started before much damage occurs.
Many patients prefer an early diagnosis so that they can make decisions while they are still able.
The medical community is struggling with issues regarding genetic testing for AD when such tests are not yet conclusive. Many researchers believe that genetic testing is most useful for studying large groups of volunteers who may be at risk for AD, rather than for determining an individual's risk. Inc. All rights reserved.