Frequently Used Tests for Memory Loss

In general health practice as well as neuropsychology, doctors have many tools and tests available to measure cognitive dysfunction. Although not all cognitive deficits or dysfunction indicate dementia, dementia is one of the possible diagnoses based on your test performance. These tests can let your doctor know when something is amiss.

Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)

The Folstein Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is a test used to screen for memory problems. The test checks your orientation to place and time, attention to tasks, calculation of simple arithmetic, memory recall, language used everyday and motor skills using basic physical motions. You are usually deemed to have a memory problem if you are not able to answer at least 20 of the 30 questions.

The orientation questions on this exam can include: What is your name? What is the date today? What is the day of the week? What year is this? What season are we in? Some of the attention items include counting backwards from 100, spelling the word "world" backwards, and so forth. For calculation, you are asked to solve simple math equations. For recall, you might be asked to repeat a series of words. For language, you might be asked to read and follow simple instructions. For motor skills, you might be asked to pick up an item from the table.

The Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ)

Pfeiffer's Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ) is commonly used when looking for memory problems associated with dementia. For example, this quick test reviews common knowledge and current topics of interest. Some questions might be "What is today's date?" or "Who is the President of the United States?" The test adjusts the scoring scare based on your educational level. This test is similar to the MMSE, but it's shorter. If this test indicated possible problems, your doctor would likely administer more in-depth tests.

Clock-Drawing Test (CDT)

According to ConsultGeriRN.org, the Clock-Drawing Test (CDT) is a two-part examination of memory. According to the Clinical Toolbox for Geriatric Care, the person administering the test will provide a picture of a clock minus numerical content. The object is to draw the face of the clock with some degree of accuracy. Next, the administrator says a series of words such as "red, ball, run" and your task is to repeat the words in order. In order to take this test and get a reliable result, you must have no significant visual impairments or difficulty gripping a writing instrument.

Keywords

• Dementia
• Cognitive Decline
• degenerative diseases
• Parkinson's Disease
• Huntington's Disease
• Alzheimer's Disease

Reference

• "Mini-Mental State: A Practical Method for Grading the Cognitive State of Patients for the Clinician"; Folstein, M F, Folstein, S E & Mc Hugh, P R; Nov 1975
• "Clinical Toolbox for Geriatric Care: Mental Status Tests, Dementia, Delirium and Depression"; 2010 [http://www.hospitalmedicine.org/geriresource/toolbox/mini_cog.htm]
• "The Mini-COG: A Cognitive 'Vital Signs' Measure for Dementia Screening in Multi-Lingual Elderly: International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (11), 1021-1027; 2000 [http://consultgerirn.org/uploads/File/trythis/issue03.pdf]

Resource

• AARP: Family, Home and Legal [http://www.aarp.org/families/]