How to Diagnose Binswanger's Disease

Binswanger's disease is a type of dementia, also known as subcortical arteriosclerotic encephalopathy. Dementia indicates a worsening of reasoning and thinking ability. In Binswanger's disease, this type of deterioration occurs due to organic factors and physiological problems. This rare disease usually has an onset of symptoms beginning after the age of 60, and those who have Binswanger's disease commonly succumb to strokes.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Give your physician a complete medical history, including your current symptoms and any problems you or your family has with dementia, memory, coordination and behavior.
2. Follow your physician's orders to have a computerized axial tomography (CT) test performed. This test helps to find irregularities in the substance of the brain and helps your physician to formulate the appropriate diagnosis.
3. Prepare yourself for the possibility of having a magnetic resonance imaging study (MRI) to evaluate the functioning of your brain. The noninvasive test detects problems apparent in living body tissues.
4. Ask your doctor for referral to an open MRI facility if you have problems remaining in an enclosed space for any amount of time. Special radiological machines exist for MRIs that have the patient in an open area that moves through the machine.
5. Report any problems affecting your motor skills such as walking and coordination, tremors, seizures and incontinence. These indicators can help your physician target an accurate diagnosis.