What to Expect: Helping Patients Navigate the Road to an Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
This video focuses on how providers guide patients and care partners from their first memory clinic visit, including what tests may be ordered and how clinical conversations can ease anxiety. It covers when and why patients are referred, the importance of setting expectations early, and the overall spectrum of dementia. PA Mast outlines the typical workup including amyloid PET and CSF testing, helping patients and caregivers understand that this first appointment is a starting point, not a conclusion.
Key Takeaways:
- A first visit is a key time to connect with patients; take the time to offer information and answer questions.
- Topics can include defining dementia and Alzheimer’s disease and the diagnostic process.
Speaker
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References and Additional Resources:
Alzheimer’s Association. New Clinical Practice Guideline on the Process for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s Disease or a Related Form of Cognitive Impairment or Dementia. Alzheimer’s Association. December 23, 2024. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.alz.org/news/2024/clinical-practice-guideline-evaluation-alzheimers
Medical Tests for Diagnosing Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s Association. Accessed July 23, 2025. https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/diagnosis/medical_tests
Schöll M, Vrillon A, Ikeuchi T, et al. Cutting through the noise: A narrative review of Alzheimer’s disease plasma biomarkers for routine clinical use. J Prev Alzheimers Dis. 2025;12(4):100056. doi:10.1016/j.tjpad.2024.100056
What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s and Dementia? The Conversation. Published June 10, 2024. Accessed August 11, 2025. https://theconversation.com/whats-the-difference-between-alzheimers-and-dementia-225271
Wilson H, Pagano G, Politis M. Dementia spectrum disorders: lessons learnt from decades with PET research. J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2019;126(3):233-251. doi:10.1007/s00702-019-01975-4
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