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Alzheimer's Disease

Testing for Microvascular Disease of the Brain

10/05/2006

Question:

My 69 year old relative recently had a CT completed which indicated atrophy and microvascular disease of the brain. She has experienced stabbing headaches, lightheadedness, and blurred vision for the past 3 months. Since 1978 she has suffered from tremors, and in recent years has developed a burning sensation in her legs.

This last month she has fallen 3 times due to imbalance and blacked out. She has been diagnosed with a pinched nerve in her neck and vertigo. Should we get a MRI of the brain for further evaluation or continue treatment for the pinched nerve and vertigo only?

Answer:

MRI of the brain and evaluation by a neurologist may be indicated. A physician should be urgently contacted to evaluated the person for temporal arteritis. THIS MUST BE DONE IMMEDIATELY

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Response by:

Robert P Friedland, MD Robert P Friedland, MD
Formerly, Professor of Neurology
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University