‘DIY’ dementia test
American researchers have developed a 15 minute, self-administered test that they claim will help identify the early signs of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease.
The exam, titled Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE), can be completed by hand or online, and tests language ability, reasoning, problem-solving skills and memory.
Results can then be shared with doctors to help spot early symptoms of cognitive issues.
“What we found was that this self-administered test correlated very well with detailed cognitive testing,” said Dr Douglas Scharre, who developed the test with his team at Ohio State University.
“If we catch this cognitive change really early, then we can start potential treatments much earlier than without having this test. We can give the test periodically and, the moment we notice any changes in their cognitive abilities, we can intervene much more rapidly.”
The test result cannot provide a diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimer's, but a patient's responses can flag problems to doctors.
Of the 1,047 over 50s in America who took the pen-and-paper version, 28% were identified with cognitive impairment.
Participants were tested on what month, date and year it was; their verbal fluency; identifying pictures; and on calculations and reasoning. They were also asked to draw to test spatial awareness and were tested on their memory ability.
What are some questions asked in the SAGE test?
- What is today's date? (from memory)
- How are a watch and a ruler similar? Write down how they are alike
- Write down the names of 12 different animals (don't worry about spelling)
- You are buying $13.45 of groceries. How much change would you receive back from a $20 note?
