How do you tell the difference between alzheimer's disease and other dementia?

Neuropsych eval: There are different characteristics for each type of dementia that maybe very clear to a doc or may need further eval by a neuropsychologist. A clinician well versed in management of dementias can usually diagnose with a physical and complete medical eval.

Hints no clear rules: Alzheimer's usually impairs recent memory initially, with preservation at first of distant memory and other cognitive functioning. Eventually more global deficits occur. Often ad is a "diagnosis of exclusion" i.e., the most likely possibility after other causes are ruled out. It can only be diagnosed for certain with brain tissue samples, which is generally only done after death.

The only way to be: Sure is after death with examination by a pathologist.