Questions posted in the Neurology and Neurosurgery Forum have been answered by doctors from The Cleveland Clinic Foundation.

Question Title: Grandmother's hallucinations

Forum: Neurology Forum
Topic: Alzheimer Disease

My grandmother, 92, has been having episodes of hallucinations, mostly visual, occasionally auditory.
She sees animals, people and relatives she has known, or hears someone out her bedroom window.
She lives semi-alone. We live in the front house, her house is in the rear.

Her primary care doctor has ruled out stroke and has her on Haldol (5-10 mg.) at bedtime. She is also on
Inderol, Isodril, nitro-durm patches and Choline Mag Tristate.

Recently, I heard that these episodes could be related to Alzheimer's Disease. Her doctor has given us a
referal to a neurologist in our area and she has an appointment set for Aug. 26.
What questions should I ask at this visit, what tests may the neurologist want to do? What information
is pertinant to tell the dr.?

Dear Beverly,

Hallucinations can be seen in Alzheimers. The diagnosis is based on physical exam/mental status/ and history after ruling out a reversible cause with labs (B12, thyroid, sed, cbc, electrolytes) and brain scan (if not already done). Topics that are important to mention on the first visit include: memory, hallucinations, confusion, personality changes, ability to carry out daily activites bathing, dressing etc. duration of symptoms ?years, and progression over that time. Neuropsych testing may be helpful to quantify the degree of dementia. A visit to the neurologist is a step in the right direction. Good Luck.



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