The Clock Drawing Test (CDT) is a nonverbal screening tool in which the patient is asked to draw a clock. Placement of the numbers around the circle requires visual-spatial, numerical sequencing, and planning abilities.
The test assesses many cognitive skills that may be involved in early Alzheimer's disease, such as short term memory, understanding of verbal instructions, spatial orientation, abstract thinking, planning, concentration, executive and visuospatial skills.
Solomon, PhD developed a brief neurocognitive screening battery to identify AD patients. The 7 Minute Screen™ consists of four individual tests (orientation, memory, clock drawing, verbal fluency). The screen can be rapidly administered and scored and therefore may be appropriate for use in the primary care setting.
The five-minute cognitive test (FCT) was designed to capture deficits in five domains of cognitive abilities, including episodic memory, language fluency, time orientation, visuospatial function, and executive function.
Clock Drawing Score (Total Possible Score: 0-2)
2 points for a normal clock or 0 (zero) points for an abnormal clock drawing. A normal clock must include all numbers (1-12), each only once, in the correct order and direction (clockwise).
Most studies demonstrate 85% mean sensitivity and specificity. The CDT can screen positive for likely cognitive impairment/dementia when the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) results are unremarkable, hence identifying cognitive impairment earlier.
The 5-word memory test is a verbal test used to evaluate memory in seniors and evaluate for potential Alzheimer's disease or other cognitive declines. The test is administered by a doctor who asks the participant to remember a list of five common words and then repeat it back after some time has passed.
Currently MRI is the radiological test of choice. As well as ruling out treatable causes of dementia, MRI can reveal patterns of brain tissue loss, which can be used to discriminate between different forms of dementia such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)7 is the most widely applied test for dementia screening.
The MMSE includes questions that measure:
Ability to remember a short list of common objects and later, repeat it back. Attention and ability to do basic math, like counting backward from 100 by increments of 7. Ability to name a couple of common objects. Complex cognitive function, like asking someone to draw a clock.
The Mini-Cog© is a fast and simple screening test to help detect dementia in its early stages. In just 3 minutes, Mini-Cog© can help doctors and other professional care providers identify possible cognitive impairment in older patients.
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is a brief self-administered cognitive screening instrument used to identify mild cognitive impairment (MCI) from any cause and early dementia.
The clock-drawing test is used to screen for early-stage dementia. This is because one of the first signs of dementia is difficulty understanding what the hands on a clock represent.
Perseveration clock-drawing errors are likely due to impairment of executive function in the prefrontal area of the frontal lobe, which is found in many dementia disorders.
The SAGE test is a 12-question exam that measures cognitive functioning and may help a physician determine whether Alzheimer's is present.
Stage 6: Severe Mental Decline/Moderately Severe Dementia Quality of life: Severe impact. Your loved one will not remember much or any of the past and may not recognize you and other family and friends.
There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type.
The Mini-Cog test.
A third test, known as the Mini-Cog, takes 2 to 4 minutes to administer and involves asking patients to recall three words after drawing a picture of a clock. If a patient shows no difficulties recalling the words, it is inferred that he or she does not have dementia.
Commonly mispronounced words include Alzheimer's, dementia, prescription, temperature, and ask. If you or a loved one is experiencing memory loss or other symptoms of dementia, it's important to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
The main sign of mild cognitive impairment is a slight decline in mental abilities. Examples include: Memory loss: You may forget recent events or repeat the same questions and stories. You may occasionally forget the names of friends and family members or forget appointments or planned events.
The Four Word Short-Term Memory Test presents subjects with four words at the rate of one word per second and subjects are then asked to recall the words following a distractor interval of counting backwards by threes for 5, 15 or 30 s.
The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a tool that helps healthcare professionals detect mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease in people. A 2021 study found that it is a better measure of cognitive function than the MMSE. It consists of 30 questions that take 10–12 minutes to accomplish.