Diagnosing Dementia

Why need an early diagnosis?

Dementia is a disease that should be taken seriously. An early and proper diagnosis is key to planning and care.
Access to Treatment: While cognitive decline caused by dementia is not reversible. Early-stage intervention, including drug or non-drug, can help effectively manage symptoms and slow progression, which help to improve quality of life of people affected by the disease. Also, more treatment options will be available in early stage.
Reduce the disease impact on person living with dementia and their families: Early diagnosis can help patients and their families better cope with the disease and reduce stress and confusion.
Support Services: Early diagnosis connects individuals and families with community resources, education, and emotional support.
Planning Ahead: It gives individuals time to make important decisions about their future, such as legal, financial, and care planning, while they’re still able to express their wishes.
Rule out other treatable causes: Some illnesses or physical conditions can cause symptoms resembling dementia. Those conditions may be treatable, such as mood disorders, sleep problems, visual impairment, hearing impairment, brain tumors or viral infections. The cognitive function may recover if these conditions can be treated.

How to How to get a dementia diagnosis?

Dementia diagnosis process

Aware of symptoms

The early signs of dementia are very subtle and vague. They may not be immediately obvious and are often misunderstood as normal part of ageing.

Learn more about the warning signs of Dementia

Diagnostic imaging & laboratory service

The doctor will recommend appropriate tests or imaging tests based on the patient's conditions and needs.

Blood Test: to rule out other conditions that could be causing cognitive impairment symptoms, such as vitamin deficiencies, thyroid problems or viral infection. The cognitive function may recover if these conditions can be treated.

Blood-based Biomarkers Test: to accurately reflect brain amyloid or tau, such as pTau217, to help doctors to diagnose the disease earlier and more accurately

CT Scan: to show whether blood vessels are damaged, and check for signs of stroke or a brain tumour

MRI: to assess brain anatomy, show whether the brain is shrinking, and check for signs of stroke or a brain tumour

PET Scan: to accurately reveal any abnormal distribution of amyloid in the brain

Sleep Apnea Study: to accurately reflect brain amyloid or tau

Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Test: to detect beta-amyloid and tau markers in CSF, which can be predictive of amyloid changes in the brain

The doctor will comprehensively analyze the patient's symptoms and test results based on all the examination results,

to diagnose whether the patient has dementia and its type.

Clinical consultation and diagnosis

Conducted by a professional or healthcare provider who has received training in cognitive assessment

Clinical consultation and physical examinations: to understand your family medical history, and cognitive changes

Cognitive assessment: to analyse and assess the patient's symptoms and cognitive abilities, such as HK-MoCA or Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)

The client or his/her family members should not practice or memorize the assessment questions in advance. This will affect the accuracy and sensitivity of the assessment and may not accurately reflect the client's cognitive ability.

Early and accurate diagnosis can effectively delay brain deterioration and manage the symptoms, which aims to improve the quality of life of people living with dementia and caregivers.

If you have concerns about potential dementia symptoms,

please contact our Memory Clinic or consult the doctor.

Service enquiry: 2338 1120

Diagnosing Dementia

Aware of symptoms

→ What is Dementia? → Types of Dementia → Symptoms → Treatment → Prevention

→ What is Dementia?
→ Types of Dementia
→ Symptoms
→ Treatment
→ Prevention