You May Soon be Able to Test Yourself for Dementia

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A new tool being developed by British researchers lets people test themselves for dementia. The new tool is promising and shows some initial success. 

The test, called “Test Your Memory,” or TYM for short, is a simple questionnaire that people can take and complete on their own. In initial trials, it is reportedly faster and more accurate than other current tests.  Researchers at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge note that it has only been tried in one clinical setting, and many further studies are needed to conclusively prove  the test's efficacy. Also, the results of the questionnaire, while generally perceived as accurate and a good indicator of dementia risk, still need to be interpreted by a professional, according to the research team.

In the first trial, 540 healthy people aged 18 to 95 completed the questionnaire. As a control, researchers also asked 139 people with confirmed cases of either Alzheimer’s disease or mild dementia to take the test. The healthy cohort took about five minutes to complete the test, scoring an average of 47 points out of 50. Those with Alzheimer’s disease scored an average of 33 points, and took longer to complete to test. The exam comprises a series of word recall, verbal fluency and sentence copying questions. Interpretations of the results of the test identified 93% of those with Alzheimer’s, compared to 52% identified by the more commonly used mini-mental state examination.

Doctors at Addenbrooke note that, while the test can be an important part of identifying and diagnosis Alzheimer’s and dementia, physician evaluations and patient histories is nonetheless important. McKnight's Long-term Care News reported the existence of the test, but test results are scheduled for future publication in an upcoming issue of BMJ.