Memory tests may also be limited in terms of detecting dementia in ethnic minorities, says Jed Levine, executive vice president of the Alzheimer's Association–New York City Chapter, an advocacy group. For individuals who speak English as a second language, not understanding some of the words on a questionnaire or not understanding the instructions may lead to a failed test even if there is no problem with the person's mind.
So what should you do if you've noticed a decline in your own memory or the cognitive abilities of a relative or friend? Seek a physician who has experience diagnosing dementia and who works with dementia patients—your primary care doctor, a geriatrician, geriatric psychologist or a neurologist, Miller says.
When assessing a patient for dementia, the physician will run a battery of tests—from questionnaires to brain scans. Most importantly, Miller notes, the physician will sit down with someone who knows the patient well—usually a spouse, adult, child or neighbor—and interview them about any changes that have taken place in the patient's memory that are beginning to interfere with daily life. Most often, people with dementia are unaware that they are changing, according to Miller, who says that a close relation can usually give the best indication of changes in a person's ability to remember things over time.
Failing a memory screening test, on the other hand, makes people scared about a disease they may but probably do not have, DeCarli says—and without a full physician's assessment, there is no reliable way of knowing whether someone has Alzheimer's or not.
This article is provided by Scienceline, a project of New York University's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program.
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Add CommentI am an occupational therapist that works with the geriatric population. I think it is very beneficial to have a memory screening and cognitive tests done. In the first and second stages of dementia the person's family may not even notice anything is wrong. It is in these stages that someone is most likely to get in a car and drive off, forgetting where they are and killing themselves and/or others. I think it should be routine to have memory testing done, especially if that person still has a driver's license or has access to a car.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisGood read.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWhile Dementia is indicated in Alzheimer, all Dementia case need not necessarily be indicative of Alzheimer.
The disease is due to faulty or absence of communication between neurons in the brain because of decay.
This may be due to age,heredity or hedonistic habits or infection of the brain.
Psychological tests are not to be relied upon as they are in the evolving stage still and the tests themselves do not always lead to correct prognosis.Details are are available at ramanan50.wordpress.com under Psychological tests.
Right approach would be to consult the Family physician and relatives.
Best way to manage would be to provide those afflicted with it, would be to provide them help with understanding.
The assumption that no treatment is available and therefore the testing would be useless is marred by the rigidity of past understanding of Alzheimer's and not the current trends in research. In fact, many studies have shown remarkable effects of factors which reduce OXIDATIVE STRESS in the brain in diminishing the severity of the pathology. Because reactive oxygen species and reactive nitrogen species are higher in the brain than elsewhere in the body, owing to higher oxygen requirements, such buildup specificially targets neurons. Leading to homocysteine buildup, which is very destructive to the vascular system, the "free radicals" also damage DNA, and alter the formation of specific types of lipids. A large degree of their damage is done by the production of prostaglandins and the changes in DNA regulation via prostaglandins and the lipids. This pathology has a genetic and environmental component which is markedly affected by vitamin deficiencies. Multiple lines of research have shown profound improvement of the metabolic systems by supplementation with Fish oil, Vitamin E, Lipoic Acid, Reservatrol (red wine components), Ginko, and CAPE (caffeic acid) found in herbs and citrus. Additionally, Vitamin D, A, B complex are needed for keeping the inflammatory cascade at bay. However, drug companies cannot make money on vitamins and attempt to re-invent these same molecules synthetically with adaptations. For every 50 studies on pharmaceuticals there is only 1 on natural metabolics. Even though these "restoring normal health" substances have good results in research, they aren't "money makers". They don't get attention because they are outnumbered. If people knew this, their nutrition would become a focal point with marked results. Don't give up on a prevention for Alzheimer's just yet. We haven't even scratched the surface. The aluminum in neurofibrillary tangles is from the MMP-9 metalloproteinase, derived from inflammatory signaling I just described. And yes, early detection would be key to starting on a spectrum of anti-oxidant regimen before damage accrues. Whether the low oxygen in the brain is from stroke, and the memory loss is from multi-infarct dementia is irrelevant. The improvement in vascular health and protection of neurons during hypoxia occurs when free-radical scavengers are abundant as in when a person is getting sufficient anti-oxidants in the diet.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisVery interesting write up. While it is understandable to guess the plight of family members whose loved one is diagnosed with dementia, a combination of life style/ diet change with few medications available may help. It is still better than doing nothing/ not even diagnosing.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisMost Alzheimer's caregivers will tell you they wish they had known the signs of Alzheimer's and dementia sooner so that there loved one could have been diagnosed sooner.
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisThe are stories of thousands of persons suffering from undiagnosed dementia getting lose or worst. The situation brings enormous angst and regret to families.
The purpose of screening is to alert the individual and family of possible memory and cognitive problems. It could be mild cognitive impairment, dementia, Alzheimer's, a brain tumor, hypothyroidism, or any of a long list of possible diseases and illness.
Memory testing is a good thing and early diagnosis under any circumstance will likely lead to a better long term outcome.
Bob DeMarco
Alzheimer's Reading Room
http://www.alzheimersreadingroom.com
To Nanobot Mind: Your letter says it all: Thanks for pointing out the link between dementia and nutritional deficiency! Here in Western Australia, it was found that only nine in a hundred seniors eat what they should, namely, 7 portions of natural plant food per day! No wonder then their brains will be prone to decay. Sudoko is not much help if the right food intake is lacking, and memory tests can only check on the symptoms, just like any other medical tests, such as on diabetes, high blood pressure, & cholesterol. An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of (no) cure! For an easy & medically proven way to a colour-coded, i.e.,plant-pigment based feeding pattern, visit: Youthevity.com
Reply | Report Abuse | Link to thisWe've successfully used a number of quick Alzheimer screening tests by SpecialtyAutomated at our senior centers and nursing homes for years. These are easy to administer or allow for self testing online. We like that these low-cost tests are available in multiple languages, too, and are just great for driver evaluations. I think they post some brochures and information on their website: http://www.specialtyautomated.com
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