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I was doing some reading today, and want to share this because I think this will be interesting and important information for some of our members, regarding “Differential Diagnosis” (ie, the ability to reach a diagnosis by ruling out other things.)
Answer Summary
A member shared her concerning journey with hippocampal shrinkage found on MRI, a positive blood test, and a strong family history of multiple... Read more
@A myALZteam Member: I agree that bilateral hippocampal atrophy is a major concern in someone who’s only 58, has APOE 3/4, and a strong family history of Alzheimer’s &/or other Dementias. You’re in North Carolina, so if you’re not currently being treated at an Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence, my strong recommendation would be to gather all of your test results plus a copy of your MRI images (etc.) on a CD, and get yourself a second opinion from one of the Neurologists at one of the Centers. Also, the next time an MRI is done, by anyone, insist on a Volumetric Report.
What a great topic to bring up! There have been some exciting recent developments in blood tests for Alzheimer's diagnosis that are worth knowing about.
The FDA has recently approved two notable blood tests that help with the diagnostic process:
- Elecsys pTau181 – The first blood test that primary care doctors can use to Show Full Answer
@A myALZteam Member: I feel like your bossy mother, urging you to get checked out, so you'd better let me know how it goes and what you find out! LOL
I don't know what caused you to have C-PTSD, but I'm sorry you have that, and you may have inadvertently provided a clue to something interesting and potentially important. I'm NOT asking for details here, but whatever your favorite A.I. is, try asking this question: could there be a connection between C-PTSD and hippocampal atrophy? There could be an "aha" moment with this, a link to understanding both.
Seriously, we do come to care for one another here, and how you're doing really does matter. Big hugs to you.
@A myALZteam Member: She's only 58! For this reason, I'm urging Robin to get answers from a Center of Excellence, ASAP. And while I have you: how are you and Elvira doing?
@A myALZteam Member, for what it's worth, my son has hippocampal atrophy, caused by a very severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Is it possible that you might have had a head injury, perhaps as a child? Concussions are not benign, as people used to believe. What about epilepsy? Hippocampal atrophy can also result from various types of neurological disorders (not just Alzheimer's), substance abuse, etc. PLEASE get yourself and your medical records to a Center of Excellence.
@A myALZteam Member Re: "What other reason would there be for advanced shrinkage of the hippocampus?!" One reason is age. The hippocampus was shown in MRI studies to shrink with age. So much that by age 75 this shrinkage is difficult to distinguish from that which can be caused by Alzheimer's Because you have had so many scans over the years, a diligent examination could perhaps tell you more. So I agree with @A myALZteam Member that you should find a centre of excellence that agrees to study your particular test results.
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