Can you detect dementia early? An expert weighs in

Q: “What tests should a person have to prevent dementia, or where can I get a good diagnosis? I’m 69 and live on my own.”

There have been numerous reports suggesting that it could be possible to diagnose the various forms of dementia up to 20 years prior to clinical manifestations, but there are none in routine clinical use at present. These tests include various blood marker tests and brain scans.

At present, diagnosing early Alzheimer’s disease – also known as mild cognitive impairment – involves a combination of neurocognitive testing (a way to measure brain functioning non-invasively), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and the clinically available (Apo) E blood test

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