Today, medical tests and brain imaging help to document specific changes in the brain. With an improved ability to diagnose the disease, trained physicians are also able to make the diagnosis earlier in the course of the illness. An early diagnosis allows time for family education and planning. Very importantly, early diagnosis means earlier treatment that can improve the patients' function and may even slow the progression of the disease. In addition to Alzheimer's disease, two other dementias are commonly seen.
Stroke is common in older individuals.
While many suffer from minor strokes without serious problems with memory or thinking, some patients are left with a dementia. Sometimes the patient is not aware of these minor strokes. Often these individuals improve modestly after a first stroke, but then have a second or third stroke. Patients with multiple strokes and dementia have multi-infarct dementia. Treatment is directed toward treating the cause of the strokes.