Getting a Cognitive Diagnosis
Getting an accurate dementia diagnosis can sometimes take years and navigating the assessments can be both time consuming and confusing. Start here to understand how to arm yourself with the right questions to get a more accurate diagnosis.
What tests are used to diagnose dementia?
Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): Short tests that check memory, attention, language, and problem-solving skills.
Checks reflexes, balance, coordination, eye movement, and strength to rule out other neurological issues
Medical History Review
Includes current symptoms, family history of dementia, medications, lifestyle factors, and psychiatric history (e.g., depression or anxiety, which can mimic memory problems).
In-depth testing by a specialist to pinpoint cognitive strengths and weaknesses across memory, language, attention, and executive function. This helps distinguish between MCI, dementia, and other causes.
Brain Imaging
MRI or CT scan: Checks for strokes, tumors, or shrinkage in specific brain regions.
PET scan: May be used to detect amyloid or tau buildup (linked to Alzheimer’s) or assess brain metabolism.
Blood Tests
To rule out reversible causes of memory issues, like vitamin B12 deficiency, thyroid problems, infections, or liver/kidney issues. Some clinicians are using them to detect probability of Alzheimer’s disease.
Biomarker Tests (if available and appropriate)
CSF (cerebrospinal fluid) test: Can detect Alzheimer’s-related proteins.
Blood-based biomarker tests: Becoming more available for detecting early Alzheimer’s changes (like phosphorylated tau).
Interactive Learning Guide: Diagnosing Alzheimer’s
Click on our learning guide to learn more about diagnosing Alzheimer’s
Medications for MCI and Early-Stage Alzheimer’s
Rivastigmine is available as a pill or skin patch. It works by slowing the breakdown of acetylcholine, a chemical that supports learning and memory. It’s used for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s and some forms of Parkinson’s-related dementia.
Memantine helps regulate glutamate, the brain’s most abundant excitatory neurotransmitter, essential for learning, memory, and normal brain function. Memantine is used for moderate to severe Alzheimer’s and can be taken alone or with other medications like donepezil.
Namzaric combines two drugs—donepezil and memantine—to treat moderate to severe Alzheimer’s. It helps improve symptoms by working on two different brain chemicals: acetylcholine and glutamate.
Leqembi is an intravenous infusion that targets beta-amyloid plaques—proteins that build up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s. It’s approved for early-stage Alzheimer’s and may slow the progression of the disease in people who test positive for amyloid buildup. It is one of two monoclonal antibody drugs, and among the first disease modifying drugs approved by the FDA.
Kisunla is an intravenous medication that targets and helps remove beta-amyloid plaques from the brain, a hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease. It is designed for people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s who test positive for amyloid. Kisunla may help slow disease progression and it is also a diseae modifying drug.
Understanding the different types of dementia
Our latest news and information on the different dementias, plus the gold standard of diagnosis
When is it more than just normal aging?
If you or someone you know is living with Alzheimer’s.
Explore why it’s likely the most misdiagnosed dementia, and more.
It’s the second-most common type of dementia.
Can start with out-of-character behavior.
The only one that’s caused by repeated concussions.
How to slow cognitive decline through health and lifestyle
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels around the brain, impairing the flow of nutrients to brain cells. High blood pressure also impairs the brain’s ability to clear out beta-amyloid plaques, which are problematic proteins that clump up in the brains of people with Alzheimer’s.
WHAT TO DO
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
WHAT TO DO
Aim for 150 min/week of moderate activity (a quick walk where talking is easy, singing is hard)
Emphasising leafy greens, berries, whole grains, fish and olive oil and limiting fried food, red meat and added sugar has been linked to up to 25% lower dementia risk.
WHAT TO DO
Follow the MIND diet (Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay)
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
WHAT TO DO
Sleep 7-9 hours per night. Keep the bedroom dark / cool, avoid screens & caffeine late, and treat sleep apnoea if you snore or wake un-refreshed.
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
Complex mental and social activities build “cognitive reserve,” a buffer that delays the impact of pathology.
WHAT TO DO
Learn something new (language, instrument), volunteer, join clubs—whatever feels engaging rather than routine.
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
Untreated hearing loss and repeated concussion each double dementia risk; both are preventable.
WHAT TO DO
Use ear plugs in loud settings, get a hearing test at 55+, wear seatbelts and helmets.
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
Smoking narrows brain vessels and accelerates atrophy; heavy drinking shrinks the hippocampus.
WHAT TO DO
Quitting at any age yields benefits within a few years.
HOW IT RELATES TO YOUR BRAIN
Too much LDL (and too little HDL) stiffens brain arteries and promotes amyloid build-up, increasing stroke and dementia risk.
WHAT TO DO
Scientist in the spotlight: Dr. Jacob Dubroff
Explore our lifestyle learning guides on brain health
Click on a topic below to view the guide.
Your Voice Matters
Being Patient is not a monologue, it is an active
conversation with people in our community. We want to hear from you about your experience – whether it be early signs, diagnosis or living with dementia. Fill out this form and a member of our team will get back to you to see if you want to be interviewed or share your story. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch!
FAQs about getting a cognitive diagnosis
University of Washington’s Dr. Barak Gaster identifies three warning signs that signal something more serious than normal aging: short-term memory loss, such as asking the same question repeatedly within a short timeframe; difficulty completing complex tasks, like following a recipe; and becoming disoriented in familiar places.
Ask your doctor about getting a formal cognitive screening — tools like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are short tests that check memory, attention, language, and problem-solving skills. Experts recommend asking about brain imaging, biomarker tests, and whether a referral for in-depth neuropsychological testing by a specialist is warranted to distinguish between MCI, dementia, and other causes.
Dementia is a syndrome that describes dozens of different diseases. The most common types include Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body dementia and LATE. The specific diagnosis matters because treatments vary across types.
