Can Alzheimer's be detected through applied kinesiology or muscle testing?

No. At his point, the definitive diagnosis can only be made with 100% accuracy by examining brain tissue under a microscope. As stated by Dr. Hayen this can be done upon autopsy, or by performing a brain biopsy, which is too risky and unreasonable in a living human being. This diagnostic definitive standard has not changed in 100 years since it was discovered by Dr. Alzheimer

 Applied Kinesiology is something that is not typically practiced in mainstream allopathic medicine. (MD's). It is more commonly practiced in naturopathic and chiropractic areas of health care. It applies to measuring and testing muscle stength to arrive at certian medical diagnosis.  It appears to be applied most to diagnosing certain allergies. It was devloped by a chriopractor from Detroit in the early 1960's named Dr. George Goodheart.

As far as diagnosing Alzheimer's a careful and detailed history is of crucial importance. A physical and detailed neurological exam- a psychiatric exam is also important and sometimes overlooked, , laboratory testing, imaging such as an MRI or CT of the brain, possibly an electroencephalogram ( the one where wires are hooked up to ones head and brain electrical activity is monitored-commonly used in seizures), and neurocognitive testing- (things like care sorting, and naming and clock drawing- this can be very extensive, depending on where a person is getting their care)- --all of this remains the mainstay of a diagnostic evaluation for Alzheimer's.  The standard in late 2009 still in part remains focused on ruling out other causes for the presnting symptoms eg. forgetfullness. With an thorough evaluation, the diagnosis can be made with 80-90% accuracy.

There are many heralded and well publicized genetic breakthroughs, that often raise hope in the Alzhiemer's community.  At this point they are all significant but small breakthroughs or pieces of a much bigger puzzle. At this point no clear genetic marker has emerged with 100% certainty for who absolutely will or will not acquire Alzheimer's disease. Right now it is sitll mostly about odds and probability and increased or decreased liklihood and prediction.

Joseph J. Sivak MD

http://alzheimmers.blogspot.com

I should add one point- with early onset  Alzhiemer's or familial dementia there are some defined genetic markers in a significant percentage of cases. Early onset account for only about 5% of Alzheimers cases.  That is still a lot of people, but it is still considered rare. There are some genes, APP PS1 and PS2, which are clearly linked to the development of early onset AD.  If a parent had early onset AD and carried one of these rare forms of the gene,  example PS2, there is a 50/50 chance a child of the affected individual will inheret the disease and acquire early onset AD. However there are cases of early onset AD where no clear genetic markers (or at least these commonly known ones) are found.

Some of the genetic links example PS2 are even more rare.  

Early onset is rare and may have somewhat different origins than later onset, however the pathology in the brain and the outcome and the devastating affect is the same.