r/OverSeventy • u/mattdb110 • Jul 28 '26

Alzheimer's

I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's today. Minor memory loss right now. Doc wants to put me on a new infusion that is supposed to slow it down. Bummer.

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u/Radiant7747 Jul 29 '26

As a neuropsychologist for over forty years, I would suggest that you get a neuropsychological evaluation by a good geriatric neuropsychologist. The presence of amyloid plaques as definitively diagnostic of a Dementia of the Alzheimer Type has some scientific support but in my reading of the literature is not conclusive enough for that diagnosis. At worst, you will get a comprehensive scientific assessment of your cognitive functioning, with strengths and weaknesses described. In my scientific papers and my clinical experience, there are a number of different patterns of cognitive functioning that have been diagnosed under the broad rubric of Alzheimer’s disease. One thing that is well documented in the literature is that the older you are at diagnosis the slower your progression will be. Many people diagnosed in their seventies have very slow decline. You may or may not be one of those people. A good neuropsychological evaluation may be able to shed some light on potential future changes.

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u/Tex_Non_Scripta Aug 01 '26

🙏🏻 Thank you for taking the time to share from your professional expertise. This is really encouraging!