What is the best initial method to assess for Alzheimer's disease?

The best initial method to assess for Alzheimer's disease is the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE). This assessment tool is designed to evaluate various cognitive functions, including memory, attention, language, and visual-spatial skills. Given that Alzheimer's disease primarily affects cognitive abilities, the MMSE provides a systematic approach to identify cognitive impairment that may suggest the presence of dementia.

In the context of assessing Alzheimer’s disease, the MMSE can help establish a baseline cognitive function and track changes over time. It is quick to administer and can be effectively used during a routine office visit, making it a practical choice for initial screening. A thorough understanding of the patient's cognitive function can guide further diagnostic steps.

Other methods, while useful at different stages of diagnosis, are not the best initial assessments. For example, obtaining a history from the patient and family is certainly important in the overall diagnostic process but tends to be more ancillary in comparison to direct cognitive testing. It provides context and insight but does not yield immediate data on cognitive function. A computed tomography (CT) scan is generally used in later stages to rule out other potential causes of dementia or aid in diagnosis, while EEG is typically utilized for evaluating electrical activity in the brain, not specifically for diagnosing Alzheimer's. Thus, the MMSE