Testing for type of Alzheimmer's

Damiross

My wife's primary care doctor asked if I wanted my wife to be tested to see what kind of Alzheimer's/Dementia she has.

I decided not to have her tested because of the stress she would endure taking the test. The way I see it, and I told the doctor this, is that doesn't really matter 1hat kind it is. There's no cure so what difference does it make? The doctor agreed.

I'm curious if anyone else feels the same about testing.

SDianeL

yes. My husband didn’t get further testing other than a CT Scan and Neuro Psyche testing. There might be a case for testing if it’s EO and if you wanted to try to participate in a trial.

JulietteBee

There is no correct answer. There are just preferences.

I know that there is no cure, but as a nurse, I know the value of having accurate medical records, I wanted to know what type my mom has. I am an only child, and I have an only child. My husband and I both have parents with dementia. Hubby's mom was diagnosed, then died from Alzheimers. In December, my mom was diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment/dementia. I harassed her pcp until I got him to order an MRI of the brain. It was done last month. Her dementia is now officially labeled as Vascular Dementia. I believe hers is mixed though, as her labs showed amyloid plagues which is typically found in AZ. However, now my child, grandchildren, and all future generations will know of their family's medical history. For me, it was worth it.🫂

harshedbuzz

@Damiross

I feel the answer to your question is nuanced.

For a younger PWD, certainly someone in their 50s or 60s with symptoms, I feel they are absolutely entitled to a comprehensive evaluation. For someone in their 80s or 90s, I would insist that potential treatable causes of dementia— vitamin or hormone deficiencies, lesions, NPH (if symptoms suggest) or infections (mom had Lyme Disease which impacted her cognition)— should be ruled out.

While there is no cure, there are newer medications which can prolong the earlier stages for Alzheimer's if diagnosed as such in the earliest stages. Outcome seems to be best for men, especially on the younger side— not so much for the elderly, women or POC. Were it my DH I would consider it, my 87-year-old mom I would not.

HB

H1235

I agree there is really no wrong answer here as long as treatable causes have been ruled out. I’m the kind of person who wants to plan. I don’t do well with not knowing. So for us we did a few appointments and seen a neurologist for a specific diagnosis. There can be some differences in the type of dementia. Alzheimer’s average life expectancy is, i think 7 years, where vascular dementia average life expectancy is 5. Louie body dementia tends to have more problems with movement, vascular dementia is often associated with stroke and symptoms depend on the area of the brain effected. If you don’t want to put her through the testing and you’re comfortable taking it day by day then I think you have made the right decision. Even with a specific diagnosis who really knows what’s going to happen anyway. It’s ugly and horrible no matter what kind of dementia it is.

zumbajane

https://alzconnected.org/discussion/73735/testing-for-type-of-alzheimmers

i don't know what kind of testing your dr wanted to do, but my husband had a simple blood test which designated which kind of dementia he has, which is Alzheimers - all that to say, it didn't stress us out