5th June 2023

Investigations

Investigations for dementia aim to identify reversible causes and help diagnose the subtype of dementia present, but only if it is likely to change management.

Blood tests include inflammatory markers, thyroid function tests, vitamin B12 and folate. Imaging is usually done with CT or MRI; it is performed to look for conditions such as space-occupying lesions that may mimic dementia or signs such as enlarged ventricles, which may suggest normal pressure hydrocephalus. Structural changes in the temporal lobes may be seen in Alzheimer’s disease, but their absence does not rule it out. The presence of small vessel disease or strokes may also support a diagnosis of vascular dementia.