Symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease
Progression of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) may be divided into several stages. The symptoms in each stage are described below. Their corresponding brain damages are described in another page.
Very early signs
Memory problems are one of the first signs of AD. Some people with mild AD have a condition called amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with MCI have more memory problems than normal for people their age, but their symptoms are not as severe as those of people with AD. More people with MCI go on to develop AD than people without MCI.
Mild AD
As AD progresses, memory loss continues and changes in other cognitive abilities appear. Symptoms in this stage can include:
- getting lost
- trouble handling money and paying bills
- repeating questions
- taking longer than before to complete normal daily tasks
- poor judgment
- losing things or misplacing them in odd places
- mood and personality changes
In most people with AD, symptoms first appear after age 60. AD is often diagnosed at this stage.
Moderate AD
In moderate AD, damage occurs in areas of the brain that control language, reasoning, sensory processing, and conscious thought. Symptoms may include:
- increased memory loss and confusion
- problems recognizing family and friends
- inability to learn new things
- difficulty carrying out tasks that involve multiple steps (such as getting dressed)
- problems coping with new situations
- delusions and paranoia
- impulsive behavior
Severe AD
People with severe AD cannot communicate and are completely dependent on others for their care. Near the end, the person with AD may be in bed most or all of the time. Their symptoms often include:
- inability to recognize oneself or family
- inability to communicate
- weight loss
- seizures
- skin infections
- difficulty swallowing
- groaning, moaning, or grunting
- increased sleeping
- lack of control of bowel and bladder
Diagnosis
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| PET Scan of Normal Brain | PET Scan of AD Brain |
Doctors have several methods and tools to help them determine fairly accurately whether a person with memory problems has “possible Alzheimer’s disease,” “probable Alzheimer’s disease,” or some other problem. “Possible Alzheimer’s disease” means the symptoms may be from another cause. “Probable Alzheimer’s disease” means no other cause for the symptoms can be found. A definitive diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease can be made only through autopsy after death.
To diagnose Alzheimer’s in a living person, a physician will:
- ask questions about a person’s overall health, past medical problems, ability to carry out daily activities, and changes in behavior and personality;
- conduct tests of memory, problem solving, attention, counting, and language skills;
- carry out medical tests, such as tests of blood, urine, or spinal fluid ;
- perform brain scans, such as a computed tomography (CT), PET scan, or MRI.
These tests may be repeated to give doctors information about how the person’s health and memory are changing over time. Sometimes these tests help doctors find other possible causes of the person's symptoms. For example, thyroid problems, drug reactions, depression, brain tumors, and blood-vessel disease in the brain can cause Alzheimer’s-like symptoms. Some of these other conditions can be treated successfully.
Such tests also can help diagnose other causes of memory problems. These problems include mild cognitive impairment and vascular dementia. Mild cognitive impairment is a medical condition that causes people to have more memory problems than other people their age. Vascular dementia is a medical condition caused by small strokes or changes in the brain’s blood supply.
Source:
National Institute on Aging, USA
Adapted by Frank Lee
Last updated: February 11, 2011