Alzheimer's disease laboratory findings

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Akshun Kalia M.B.B.S.[2]

There are no specific diagnostic laboratory findings associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, laboratory findings are done to rule out other conditions which may mimic Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. These include CSF analysisfor Aβ 2 and tau protein, 14-3-3 protein, vitamin B12 levels, thyroid hormones, electrolytes, HIV serology, complete blood count, blood glucose, renal function test, liver function test, and urine screen for drug abuse.

There are no specific diagnostic laboratory findings associated with Alzheimer’s disease. However, laboratory findings are done to rule out other conditions which may mimic Alzheimer’s disease symptoms. These include:^{[1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]}

• CSF analysis for Aβ2 and tau protein
• CSF analysis for 14-3-3 protein or neuron specific enolase for Creutzfeldt-jakob disease
• CSF evaluation may also be done to rule out syphilis, encephalitis and meningitis
• Vitamin B12 levels: Patients with low Vitamin B12 levels may present with impaired consciousness and cognition
• Thyroid hormones: Patients with either low or high T3 may develop altered cognition and sensorium
• Electrolytes: Serum electrolytes such as hypo or hypernatremia, hypocalcemia may present with altered sensorium
• HIV serology or PCR to rule out HIV
• Complete blood count
• Blood glucose
• Renal function test
• Liver function test
• Urine screen for drug abuse

Template:WH Template:WS