How long for Lumbar Puncture results?

[GettinFuzzy]

I have seen a couple of specialists and had an MRI which showed "mild excess" atrophy in the parietal lobes - at 51!

I have also been assessed for memory issues and speech problems. The next step is a lumbar puncture this Thursday (18th October) so they seem to be looking for Alzheimer's.

How long am I likely to have to wait for results? The doctors have been vague so far, but the fairly generic lumbar puncture leaflet I was given with my appointment letter suggests results can take over a month!!

 

[Beate]

That's not really a question we can answer here as it all depends on how busy your hospital is. I'm not quite sure what a lumbar puncture would have to do with Alzheimer's - it is certainly not something my OH had to do before he was diagnosed.

 

[GettinFuzzy]

I can't (yet) post links here, but on this very site you will find a page called "Having a lumbar puncture" which contains the following:

"Alzheimer’s disease is characterised by the abnormal clumps of proteins called amyloid and tau in the brain. These changes are reflected in the levels of proteins in the cerebrospinal fluid, so a lumbar puncture can indicate whether the brain is affected by Alzheimer’s disease."

 

[Louise7]

Here's the link: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/research/take-part-research/lumbar-puncture

A lumbar puncture isn't routinely used to diagnose Alzheimer's but can be helpful in identifying it early. Hopefully you won't have to wait too long for the results.

 

[try again]

There is also something called nph, and I believe a lumbar puncture is done for that to see if reducing the fluid makes any difference to the symptoms .

 

[canary]

Atrophy in the parietal lobes is an unusual place for Alzheimers to start and together with your age, I guess they will be looking to see whether it is Alzheimers or something else. Usually you will have a follow-up appointment with the neurologist where he will explain the results.