Community Chat

[focksie]

I just heard about this early screening test for dementia on NBC Nightly News. I thought it was interesting, so googled to find the following article as well as the test itself. The tv report said to take the test once a year starting at age 62 and to share the results with your doctor, who will note any changes.

From Alzheimer's Weekly: A written Alzheimer's test, developed by Douglas Scharre, MD, of Ohio State University Medical Center, is designed to evaluate every part of a patients brain, from language to memory to problem solving.

The free and simple 15-minute self-administered test to screen for early dementia could help speed diagnosis and treatment of memory disorders, including Alzheimer’s. It could also provide health care providers and caregivers an earlier indication of life-changing events that could lie ahead.

Here is the rest of the article:

http://www.alzheimersweekly.com/2013/02/sage-pen-paper-alzheimers-test.html

Here is the actual test:

http://www.azcentral.com/persistent/icimages/health/Test.pdf

[kdgn]

That was a very interesting test! I need to print it out-

[sylviahomeatlast]

me too

[pattypeep]

Definitely worth pursuing. My mother had Alzheimer's and I'm so nervous that I may get it as well.

[Azcowgirl]

My Dad died of complications due to dementia.....so I am very concerned as well. Thank you for posting this !

[FUTURE]

I give a very similar exam to most of my pts. Taken yearly, I think it would be very effective in identifying possible dementia or other cognitive changes.

[Shorty2U]

My dad passed a test like that written one and only had 2 wrong. Well guess what? He definitely had dementia which they told us by his other symptoms. (this was years ago my dad is deceased now).

Also- My son had to take a shorter memory test AND he failed it the first time. He has epilepsy and his short term memory was getting terrible. I was very worried. They asked him to remember 3 words, then they talked to him and after minutes he had to repeat them. He didn't remember. (He did pass knowing the year and the President but he failed some other things really short term as in within minutes of knowing things). Anyway since he failed, they lowered his one seizure med (in case it was the med causing it) and he had to go back a month later. He took it again and he passed but he still has some short term memory loss on occasion. (So they think the med had been affecting his memory). On the other hand my sons long term memory is better than most. Especially with numbers. He still has bar codes memorized from a job he had as a teen and he remembers details of things from when he was 3 on up. But short term not as good.

Anyway the moral of the story is, its fine to take these online tests. But also see your Dr if you have any concerns about your memory or health.

[sophiamarie]

Click here: Alzheimer's disease and dementia are different - Mayo Clinic