Not long ago, the only way to know if someone had Alzheimer's disease was to examine the brain in an autopsy.That is changing -- and fast -- with brain scans and spinal taps that can detect beta amyloid, the telltale Alzheimer's protein.There is a blood test on the horizon that can detect beta
Not long ago, the only way to know if someone had Alzheimer’s disease was to examine the brain in an autopsy.
As this sort of diagnostic testing becomes widespread, more people who fear their memories are slipping will face a difficult question: Would I really want to know if I were getting Alzheimer’s disease? Health insurers are prohibited by law — for now, at least — from denying coverage if you have Alzheimer’s. But there is nothing that prevents long-term-care and life insurers from denying you.
The sort of testing Gibbs had can be expensive, and diagnostic brain scans usually are not covered by insurance. The tests are not for the worried well whose memories are intact.Generally, even people without memory problems who have amyloid plaques in their brains are more likely to progress to Alzheimer’s, said Dr. Ronald Petersen, a neurologist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Before he offers diagnostic testing, Rabinovici sits down with patients and their families and asks how will they feel if the test is positive — or negative.
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