|
A diagnosis
of probable Alzheimer’s disease is made after complete medical, neurological
and psychological examinations rule out other possible causes of the person’s
symptoms. Alzheimer’s diagnosis centers perform thorough evaluations
to determine if a person suffers from symptoms of the disease.
There is no single test that can diagnose Alzheimer’s disease. However,
trained physicians are 80-90% accurate. A full assessment can include:
- Medical
and psychiatric history
- Neurological
and physical exam
- Lab
test to rule out anemia, vitamin deficiencies and other conditions
- An
evaluation of the person’s ability to do common daily activities
such as managing finances and medications
- A
mental status exam to evaluate the person’s thinking and memory
- A
caregiver interview
Autopsy
Program
For families
who want confirmation of an AD diagnosis or desire to donate brain
tissue for further scientific research we have partnered with the
University of Washington, Seattle and Providence Alaska Medical Center
to provide autopsy of brain tissue.
You are
probably familiar with organ donations to save the health and even the
lives of ill people. The donation of brain tissue for research is also a
precious and special gift. It will help scientists understand the causes
of brain disorders and also how healthy brains work.
Future
generations will benefit from this gift, which could lead to successful
treatment and prevention of various brain diseases, including
Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.
How will
information obtained from brain examination benefit the family?
Examination
of the brain after death is often the only way to confirm the diagnosis
made during life. There are various causes of dementia in older adults.
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common; other frequent causes are
stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and Lewy Body dementia. These conditions
may occur alone or in combination, which make clinical diagnosis even
more difficult.
Learning
the precise cause of the patient’s illness can be a great relief to the
family, helping them to close this chapter in their lives.
Why is
brain tissue needed for scientific research?
Direct
examination of the brain after death opens the door to many of its
mysteries. New scientific techniques are now being used to compare the
changes caused by brain diseases with the patient’s symptoms during
life. In this way, we can better understand the causes of memory loss
and other mental or behavioral problems.
Will the
brain examination cost anything?
The
University of Washington’s Alzheimer’s Research Center will provide the
brain examination free of charge, and Providence Alaska Medical Center
will perform the tissue removal free of charge. The only cost to the
family is the shipping of the tissue to the Research Center; this cost
can range from $40.00 - $60.00.
How does
the family provide consent for brain examination?
The consent
for a post-mortem examination of the brain is usually given by the
patient’s next of kin. The family should discuss the issue together, to
ensure the agreement of all close relatives. The ADRAA Outreach
Department will provide consent forms and information and history forms
permitting the procedure. Staff will forward signed forms to Providence
Hospital, the Funeral Home, and University of Washington’s Alzheimer’s
Research Center.
How will
the family find out what the brain examination showed?
The
physician who examines the brain will send a neuropath report that
explains major findings to ADRAA Outreach staff, who will forward the
report to the family.
When
should plans be made for this procedure?
Although
some older adults with brain disorders may live for many years, it is
important to make the necessary arrangements well in advance. Since
family members need time to discuss this issue it is important to start
thinking about brain donation in the early stages of the illness.
What
effect will the examination have on funeral arrangements?
None. The
removal of brain tissue, under the supervision of a pathologist, does
not leave any visible marks. It is still possible to have an open-casket
funeral. Funeral directors are usually very cooperative about
transporting the body for the examination.
Is tissue
from healthy brains also needed for research?
Yes. It is
important to study the brains of healthy people after death. As
surprising as it seems, we still do not know how the brains of healthy
persons change as they age. Scientists need to study healthy brains to
find out which changes in the brain are caused by the disease and which
are due to aging. It is especially valuable to study brain tissue from
healthy older adults who have had their memory tested as they age.
Information
on brain autopsies have been derived from: Consortium to Establish a
Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD). Brain Tissue for
Scientific Research.
|
