Tests & Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease at University of Colorado Hospital

Tests for Alzheimer’s Disease

A doctor will complete a thorough medical history and comprehensive examination to evaluate symptoms. Blood tests as well as brain imaging scans are also performed in the diagnostic process of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders.

Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Drug treatment for Alzheimer’s disease can be divided into two categories – drugs for cognitive symptoms and those for behavioral symptoms.

Treatment for cognitive symptoms includes the following medications:

Cholinesterase Inhibitors

Cholinesterase inhibitors are approved to treat mild to moderate symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and can delay the worsening of symptoms.

Memantine

Memantine is used to treat moderate to severe symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease and can also delay the progression of symptoms.

Drug treatment for behavioral symptoms includes the following medications:

Antidepressants – Antidepressant medications are prescribed to treat depressed mood and major depression.

Anxiolytics – Anxiolytic medications are used to treat anxiety and nervousness.

Antipsychotics – Antipsychotic medications are most often used to treat agitation, but also for hallucinations, delusions and aggression.