Other Conditions That Mimic Alzheimer's?

May 4, 2009 -- Question: What are some other medical conditions or physical conditions that mimic the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease?

Answer: The areas of the brain that are important for the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease -- the forgetfulness, poor reasoning, the change in personality, change in language -- can be affected by many disease processes -- some are things that we often hear about including stroke. Other brain degenerative illnesses can affect the same areas and they can produce a dementia that mimics Alzheimer's disease.

So it is important, if there are memory changes or other changes in mental abilities, to have a thorough evaluation by a physician who is interested in and experienced with dementia to determine what the underlying cause of that dementia may be.