Brief Answer:
What type of test were you looking for

Detailed Answer:
Good afternoon. My name is Dr. Dariush Saghafi and I am a neurologist in the XXXXXXX OH region of the world. I'm not sure where you're at but greetings. Hope all is well. Please allow me to answer this question with a question to start.

What "type" of a test were you thinking would be done by the doctor to determine whether or not you were suffering from Alzheimer's? I agree with your conceptual notion that taking a drug such as Donepezil (Aricept is the brand name in the U.S.) without a clear cut explanation or rationale by the doctor is something I would hesitate doing.

Do you suffer from memory loss or other problems such as keeping your bank records straight, remembering important appointments, or forgetting how to get to familiar places if driving? Does your family believe you're suffering from such conditions.

According to population statistics the clinical recognition of Alzheimer's disease begins at approximately age 65. Thereafter, the number of people who develop Alzheimer's doubles for every 5 years of age. Therefore, by your age (80 years YOUNG) the number of people expected to show clinical signs of this process is about 8 TIMES what it was back at age 65.

There are a number of tests that can be done on a patient to determine whether or not they're suffering from a deficiency in something that could make them LOOK LIKE they have Alzheimer's disease such as blood work for Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and thyroid function studies.

But there is NO SINGLE TEST or GROUP of tests discovered yet which can DETECT the presence or absence of Alzheimer's disease. It still remains a clinical call by the doctor based upon the history, the physical examination, and also relies heavily upon information from close family and friends of the patient.

I would have a talk with either your family member or members who may have taken you to see the doctor or with the doctor him or herself that you saw if you went alone and specifically question the doctor as to why the medication especially if you disagree with taking it and were instead expecting to be getting some testing first.

You may redirect future questions to me by looking me up on on this network with my name (DARIUSH SAGHAFI, MD) as well as looking for me on another network where I give actual live real time consultations using webcam technology. You can find me on THIS NETWORK at:

http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/doctors/dr-dariush-saghafi/68474

Or you can look me up on the other live network with webcam technology where we can privately and securely converse either by camera, voice only, or typing/texting.

The address for the other network is:

www.healthtap.com/drsaghafi

If you found this information helpful would you please help by providing some brief written feedback and a STAR RATING. I'd also appreciate it if you would CLOSE THE QUERY on your end if you have no further questions or comments you'd like to add to this thread.

This query required 18 min. of physician specific time to review, research, and document in final draft form for envoy.

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