Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month: Know the Facts on Dementia, Alzheimer’s, Brain Health, and MRI
Each June, Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month encourages families, caregivers, and communities to learn more about Alzheimer’s disease, other forms of dementia, brain health, and the importance of early evaluation. Alzheimer’s disease remains one of the most significant health concerns affecting older adults and their families, but awareness is not only about statistics. It is also about recognizing symptoms sooner, asking better questions, and knowing when memory or thinking changes should be discussed with a healthcare provider.
According to the Alzheimer’s Association 2026 Facts and Figures, an estimated 7.4 million Americans age 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease in 2026. About 1 in 9 people age 65 and older has Alzheimer’s, and nearly 13 million Americans provide unpaid care for people living with Alzheimer’s or another dementia.
These numbers show why Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month matters. Families are often the first to notice subtle changes in memory, judgment, communication, or behavior. Understanding what those changes may mean can help patients and loved ones seek care earlier, plan more effectively, and access support before symptoms become more difficult to manage.
Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Are Not the Same
Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are often used interchangeably, but they do not mean the same thing. Dementia is a general term for symptoms that affect memory, thinking, reasoning, communication, judgment, or daily functioning. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common cause of dementia, but it is only one type.
The National Institute on Aging describes Alzheimer’s disease as a brain disorder that slowly destroys memory and thinking skills. Over time, it can affect a person’s ability to carry out daily activities, communicate clearly, and live independently.
Other types of dementia may include:
- Vascular dementia, which is often related to reduced blood flow or blood vessel changes in the brain
- Lewy body dementia, which can involve changes in thinking, movement, sleep, and visual hallucinations
- Frontotemporal dementia, which may affect personality, behavior, language, and decision-making
- Mixed dementia, when more than one type of brain change contributes to symptoms
This distinction matters because different types of dementia can have different patterns, causes, and treatment considerations. A person with vascular dementia may need a different evaluation and care plan than someone with Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy body dementia, or symptoms caused by another medical condition.
Normal Aging vs. Warning Signs of Dementia
Everyone forgets a name, misplaces keys, or loses track of an appointment from time to time. Some changes in memory and processing speed can happen with normal aging. Dementia is different because symptoms become persistent, interfere with daily life, and often worsen over time.
A typical age-related change might include occasionally forgetting a name and remembering it later. A more concerning change may include forgetting recently learned information, asking the same question repeatedly, getting lost in familiar places, or relying heavily on family members for tasks the person previously handled independently.
The Alzheimer’s Association identifies 10 warning signs of Alzheimer’s that should not be ignored. These include memory loss that disrupts daily life, difficulty planning or solving problems, confusion with time or place, trouble completing familiar tasks, new problems with words or conversation, and changes in mood or personality.
Warning signs may include:
- Forgetting recently learned information or important dates
- Repeating questions or stories more often
- Having trouble managing bills, medications, recipes, or familiar routines
- Getting confused about time, location, or how someone arrived somewhere
- Struggling to follow conversations or find the right words
- Misplacing items and being unable to retrace steps
- Showing poor judgment with money, hygiene, driving, or safety
- Withdrawing from work, hobbies, family gatherings, or social activities
- Becoming unusually anxious, suspicious, confused, fearful, or depressed
- Having difficulty with visual images, spatial relationships, balance, or reading
Not every symptom points to Alzheimer’s disease. Memory and thinking changes can also be related to depression, medication side effects, sleep disorders, thyroid problems, vitamin deficiencies, infections, alcohol use, stroke, head injury, or other medical conditions. This is why a medical evaluation is important.
Why Early Evaluation Matters
Early evaluation gives patients and families more time to understand what is happening and make informed decisions. While Alzheimer’s disease does not currently have a cure, an earlier diagnosis can help patients access available treatments, plan for future care, address safety concerns, and connect with support resources.
The Alzheimer’s Association notes that early detection of Alzheimer’s or another dementia can provide greater access to treatment options and help families plan for the future. Earlier evaluation can also help physicians identify other medical conditions that may be contributing to symptoms.
A medical evaluation for memory or cognitive changes may include:
- A detailed review of symptoms and medical history
- Input from family members or caregivers
- Medication review
- Physical and neurological examination
- Cognitive and memory testing
- Lab work to check for other possible causes
- Brain imaging, such as MRI or CT
- Referral to a neurologist, geriatrician, memory clinic, or other specialist
- Biomarker testing in some cases
A diagnosis is rarely based on one test alone. Physicians typically use a combination of clinical findings, cognitive testing, medical history, lab results, imaging, and sometimes biomarkers to better understand the cause of symptoms.
Newer Alzheimer’s Testing and Treatment Make Evaluation More Important
Alzheimer’s diagnosis has changed in recent years. In addition to clinical exams, cognitive testing, and brain imaging, physicians may now use biomarker testing in certain situations to help identify Alzheimer ’s-related brain changes.
Biomarkers can include amyloid PET imaging, cerebrospinal fluid testing, and newer blood-based biomarker tests. The National Institute on Aging explains that bi
omarkers can help doctors and researchers detect signs of Alzheimer’s disease and other causes of dementia. The Alzheimer’s Association also reported that the FDA cleared the first blood test for use in primary care to rule out Alzheimer’s-related amyloid pathology, marking an important step in dementia evaluation.
This does not mean every person with memory changes needs every test. It does mean the diagnostic process is becoming more precise, especially for patients with mild cognitive impairment or early dementia symptoms.
Treatment options have also changed. Some newer anti-amyloid therapies are intended for patients with early symptomatic Alzheimer’s disease and confirmed amyloid pathology. These medications are not appropriate for everyone, and treatment decisions must be made by a specialist based on a patient’s diagnosis, risks, medical history, and goals of care.
MRI has also become important in the treatment-monitoring process for some patients receiving these therapies. The FDA has recommended MRI monitoring for certain patients taking Leqembi to help identify amyloid-related imaging abnormalities, known as ARIA. The FDA’s Leqembi safety communication notes that MRI monitoring is recommended before specific infusions, along with a baseline MRI for comparison. The FDA-approved prescribing information for Kisunla also includes baseline and follow-up MRI monitoring recommendations for ARIA.
For patients and families, the key takeaway is simple: early evaluation matters because the options for diagnosis, planning, and treatment have become more specific than they were in the past.
Brain Health Habits That May Reduce Risk
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is also a reminder that brain health is part of overall health. Not all risk factors can be changed, and there is no guaranteed way to prevent Alzheimer’s disease. However, healthy habits may help reduce the risk of cognitive decline and support long-term brain function.
The Alzheimer’s Association’s 10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain include regular movement, protecting the head from injury, avoiding smoking, controlling blood pressure, managing diabetes, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, sleeping well, staying socially connected, and challenging the mind.
Brain-healthy steps may include:
- Getting regular physical activity
- Managing blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, and heart health
- Eating a balanced diet with vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, whole grains, and healthy fats
- Getting enough quality sleep
- Treating sleep problems such as sleep apnea
- Staying socially connected
- Learning new skills or keeping the mind active
- Avoiding tobacco
- Limiting alcohol
- Wearing helmets and seatbelts to help prevent head injury
- Talking with a healthcare provider about memory, mood, balance, or sleep changes
Brain health and vascular health are closely connected. Conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, poor sleep, and smoking can affect the brain as well as the body. Healthy habits cannot eliminate all risk, but they can support better overall health and may help protect cognitive function over time.
How MRI Fits into Alzheimer’s and Dementia Evaluation
MRI does not diagnose Alzheimer’s disease by itself. It is one part of a broader evaluation that may include clinical history, cognitive testing, physical and neurological exams, lab testing, and, in some cases, biomarker testing.
MRI can help physicians evaluate brain structure and look for findings that may contribute to memory or thinking changes. It may help identify or rule out conditions such as stroke, tumors, bleeding, fluid buildup, significant vascular changes, brain atrophy, or other neurological concerns. The National Institute on Aging explains that brain scans such as CT, MRI, or PET may be used to support an Alzheimer’s diagnosis or rule out other possible causes of symptoms.
MRI may also provide information about patterns of brain volume loss, white matter changes, microvascular disease, or structural abnormalities. These findings are interpreted alongside a patient’s symptoms, cognitive testing, and medical history.
For patients referred by their physician, Greater Waterbury Imaging Center provides MRI for Alzheimer’s and Dementia as part of neurological MRI services. These scans support referring physicians by providing detailed brain images that may help with evaluation, monitoring, and care planning.
What Families Can Track Before a Medical Appointment
Families and caregivers often notice changes before a patient does. Writing down specific examples can make a medical appointment more productive and help the physician understand what has changed.
Before an appointment, it may help to note:
- When symptoms first appeared
- Whether symptoms are getting worse
- Whether the person repeats questions or stories
- Whether bills, medications, cooking, driving, or appointments have become difficult
- Whether the person has gotten lost or confused in familiar places
- Whether mood, sleep, balance, language, or behavior has changed
- Whether symptoms fluctuate during the day
- Whether there have been falls, head injuries, infections, or medication changes
- Whether there is a family history of Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
It can also be helpful to bring a current medication list, including prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, supplements, and sleep aids. Some medications or combinations of medications can affect memory, alertness, balance, and confusion, especially in older adults.
Supporting Caregivers and Reducing Stigma
Alzheimer’s disease and dementia affect entire families. Caregivers may manage appointments, medications, transportation, meals, finances, safety concerns, and emotional support. Many caregivers also balance work, children, aging parents, or their own health needs.
The Alzheimer’s Association care and support resources provide education, caregiver guidance, local resources, support options, and a 24/7 Helpline. These resources can help families understand what to expect, how to communicate, how to plan, and where to find support.
Reducing stigma is also important. Memory changes can be frightening, and families may delay conversations because they worry about the diagnosis. Open, compassionate conversations can help patients feel supported rather than judged. Seeking evaluation is not about labeling someone; it is about understanding what is happening and finding the right next steps.
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month Is a Reminder to Take Action
Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness Month is a reminder to take memory and cognitive changes seriously. Forgetfulness, confusion, difficulty completing familiar tasks, personality changes, or withdrawal from daily activities should be discussed with a healthcare provider when symptoms persist or interfere with normal life.
Awareness, early evaluation, brain-healthy habits, caregiver support, and appropriate diagnostic testing can all play a role in improving quality of life for individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Greater Waterbury Imaging Center provides neurological MRI services to help referring physicians evaluate brain structure and potential causes of cognitive symptoms. Contact us today to learn more about MRI services for Alzheimer’s and dementia evaluation.