Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 12, 2026

The 4 Mountains Test: A Short Test of Spatial Memory with High Sensitivity for the Diagnosis of Pre-dementia Alzheimer's Disease
Published on: October 13, 2016
"Will I get Alzheimer disease?" when cognitively normal patients ask to be tested for Alzheimer disease
B Joy Snider1, Virginia D Buckles
1Washington University, Campus Box 8111 BT 229, 660 S Euclid Ave, St Louis, MO 63110, USA. sniderj@neuro.wustl.edu
Abstract:
This article presents the case of a cognitively normal patient who is requesting a procedure (amyloid imaging) recently approved for the diagnosis of Alzheimer disease (AD) in patients with cognitive impairment. The predictive value of this test in unaffected people is not clearly established. Knowing the results of the test will have no effect on therapeutic options, although the patient may make lifestyle decisions based on the results. There is potential risk to the patient in terms of insurability, employability, and psychological consequences. Physicians will face this situation with increasing frequency as the AD biomarker field progresses.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Alzheimer Disease l: Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
Alzheimer Disease ll: Pathophysiology
Dementia
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
Dementia l: Introduction
Alzheimer's Disease: Treatment

