Differences Between Alzheimer's and Other Neurological Diseases

Differences Between Alzheimer's and Other Neurological Diseases Prof. Dr. A. Oğuz Tanrıdağ, Neurologist at Üsküdar University NPİSTANBUL Hospital, provided information on the differences and similarities between Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions. Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ stated that information on the differences and similarities between Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions would constitute the content of a comprehensive book, adding: "Moreover, being a neurology specialist alone is not sufficient for such information; expertise in psychiatry, internal medicine, and genetics is also required."

Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ;

"In brief, the most important difference between Alzheimer's disease and other neurological conditions is that it does not affect the brain stem's relationship with the body but rather impacts the brain's mental functions, primarily memory, and also causes disturbances in behavior and daily living habits. The reason for this is that the disease is active in brain regions related to mental functions. Chief among these is that the disease begins in the hippocampus, located within the temporal lobes responsible for short-term memory, and progresses along connecting pathways."

Appearance and neurological examination differ in Alzheimer's patients

Tanrıdağ, noting that these characteristics make the appearance and neurological examination of Alzheimer's patients different from those with Parkinson's disease, MS, ALS, stroke, epilepsy, and muscle and nerve disorders, stated: "From the standpoint of Alzheimer's possibility alone, the most important concern for neurology and psychiatry physicians is that neurological examination in this disease is typically normal. In practice, this situation leads to diagnostic confusion and results in early and middle-stage patients being considered normal or depressed. Therefore, a normal neurological examination does not exclude the possibility of Alzheimer's and necessitates additional testing." [caption id="attachment_156582" align="aligncenter"] Neurologist Prof. Dr. A. Oğuz Tanrıdağ[/caption]

"Brain check-up tests should be performed for Alzheimer's diagnosis"

Prof. Dr. Tanrıdağ, explaining the additional tests to be performed when Alzheimer's is suspected, continued: "These tests are brain imaging, computerized EEG, and neuropsychological testing. For this reason, Alzheimer's diagnosis cannot be established by neurological examination alone and requires brain check-up tests to be performed. In addition to all this, the presence of abnormal findings in neurological examination does not exclude an Alzheimer's diagnosis. Because Alzheimer's disease can occur together with other neurological conditions. For example, strokes occurring in the elderly, head trauma, general anesthesia, and infections increase the frequency of Alzheimer's."