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Alzheimer's quiz: Diagnostic clues

Many people fret needlessly when they misplace their reading glasses or car keys — worried that this forgetfulness might be an early sign of Alzheimer's disease.

While this type of memory loss is not related to Alzheimer's, there are definite clues that doctors look for when diagnosing this disease. Take our quiz to see if you can separate fact from fiction about diagnosing Alzheimer's disease.

1. Which of the following is not an indicator of Alzheimer's?

  • Getting lost in familiar places
  • Forgetting the names of casual acquaintances
  • Having trouble balancing a checkbook
  • Coping poorly with unexpected events

2. Which of the following may increase your risk of Alzheimer's?

  • Head injury
  • History of depression
  • Low level of education
  • All of the above

3. No other age-related problem results in dementia.

  • True
  • False

4. Which of the following has been connected to Alzheimer's disease?

  • High blood pressure
  • Low blood pressure
  • Both
  • Neither

5. Family history plays no role in your risk of developing Alzheimer's.

  • True
  • False

6. A simple blood test can confirm an Alzheimer's diagnosis.

  • True
  • False

7. Besides Alzheimer's, which of the following also can cause memory loss and confusion?

  • Thyroid problems
  • Drug intoxication
  • Depression
  • All of the above

8. Though a definite diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease is possible only by autopsy, doctors can usually identify the disease by ruling out other causes of dementia.

  • True
  • False

9. Early diagnosis provides no benefit in Alzheimer's disease.

  • True
  • False

ALZHEIMER'S


May 9, 2008