Whether you’re at the beginning of the journey or farther along, our team uses the latest diagnostic technology, combined with subspecialty expertise, to diagnose Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. Diagnostic tools may include:
- Brain MRI
- Amyloid PET scan
- Cerebrospinal fluid testing
- Blood tests
- Detailed patient history
- Neurological examination
- Clinical evaluation
- Neuropsychological testing
Groundbreaking treatment now available
Whereas there were previously no therapies available to treat neurodegenerative diseases directly, we now have access to new anti-amyloid medications that have the potential to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Alzheimer’s is characterized by a buildup of beta amyloid plaque in the brain, which is believed to be responsible for the disease’s progression. Anti-amyloid infusion therapy works by removing beta-amyloid buildup from the brain. For people in the early stages of Alzheimer’s, it can reduce cognitive decline.
Anti-amyloid infusion therapy is FDA approved for people with mild cognitive impairment or early-stage dementia who have abnormal levels of beta amyloid. The drug is given as an IV infusion on a regular schedule (for example, every two weeks). M Health Fairview now offers these anti-amyloid IV infusions to eligible patients.
These drugs are not for everyone, and they only work in patients in the early symptomatic stages of Alzheimer’s disease. If a patient is in the moderate stage of Alzheimer’s disease (e.g., the individual already requires around the clock supervision), unfortunately these drugs are not effective. While they can, on average, slow the disease down by 25-35%, they are also associated with brain swelling and brain bleeding. In a minority of patients, this can may require emergency and/or intensive care.
Additional treatments include medications to manage other disorders affecting brain health, referrals to specialists and rehabilitation experts, and consultation about lifestyle modification and medication adjustments.
To find out if anti-amyloid therapies are right for you, please visit our symptom checker.
