What Scans Are Used To Diagnose Dementia?

What scans are used to diagnose dementia? Learn how CT, MRI and PET scans may help doctors assess brain changes and support diagnosis.

A dementia diagnosis is a significant milestone that helps explain the cause of cognitive changes and guides future care planning. This category explains how dementia is diagnosed, what different test results may mean, what happens after a diagnosis, and the practical steps families can take as they move forward.
Articles in this category cover the diagnostic process, specialist assessments, brain imaging, cognitive testing, receiving a diagnosis, seeking a second opinion, understanding different dementia types, and preparing for the conversations and decisions that often follow confirmation of dementia.
Whether you are awaiting assessment results, have recently received a diagnosis, or are supporting someone through the process, these practical guides help Australian families better understand what to expect and make informed decisions with greater confidence.

What scans are used to diagnose dementia? Learn how CT, MRI and PET scans may help doctors assess brain changes and support diagnosis.

Can blood tests detect dementia? Learn what blood tests can reveal, what they cannot confirm and how they support dementia assessment.

How long does a dementia diagnosis take? Learn what affects diagnosis timelines, what delays may occur and what families can do while waiting.

Can a GP diagnose dementia in Australia? Learn what a GP can assess, what tests they may arrange and when specialist review may be needed.

What questions should you ask after a dementia diagnosis? Learn which questions matter most about treatment, safety, legal planning and future care decisions.

Should you get a second opinion after a dementia diagnosis? Learn when further assessment may help, what questions to ask and how to make more confident decisions.

Can dementia be diagnosed early? Learn when memory or thinking changes may need assessment, what early diagnosis means and why acting early may preserve options.

Can dementia be misdiagnosed? Learn what conditions can mimic dementia, warning signs a diagnosis may need review and when a second opinion may help.

What happens after a dementia diagnosis? Learn what support may be available, what decisions families may face and what steps may come next.

Old Age Plan guide explaining how dementia is diagnosed, including GP assessment, cognitive testing, scans and possible next steps.