Dr. Maïa Panchal initially advises consulting a general practitioner. “They can prescribe tests (blood tests, imaging, etc.) and then refer you to a neurologist, a geriatrician, or a memory clinic,” she explains. Furthermore, neuropsychological tests can also help differentiate between depression and Alzheimer's disease.
Dr. Mai Panchal emphasizes the importance of early detection. “Early diagnosis allows patients to benefit from future treatments, which primarily target the early stages,” she points out. But it also allows them to participate in clinical trials and plan for their future while they are still able to make decisions. “Finally, early diagnosis avoids certain medical risks (for example, avoiding general anesthesia, which can worsen symptoms in patients).”
