A doctor has just finished her examination of an 82-year-old patient who has recently been showing significant and worsening memory loss and other forms of cognitive impairment,and the doctor says,"This woman is definitely suffering from Alzheimer's disease." Why should you be skeptical about this diagnosis?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A definite diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be determined by an autopsy. While a doctor may suspect or make a tentative diagnosis based on symptoms, a confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer's can only be made postmortem through an examination of the brain tissue. Therefore, it's important to be skeptical of a diagnosis of Alzheimer's made solely based on clinical assessment.

A Doctor Has Just Finished Her Examination of an 82-Year-Old