55 million individuals are estimated to suffer from Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia throughout the world. This figure will rise from 78 million by 2030 to 139 million by 2050. They can't be diagnosed since there aren't enough professionals in the fields of psychiatry, neuropsychology, and geriatric medicine. Physicians in primary care will be responsible for implementing the plan.
As compared to normal neuropsychological testing, the self-administered Gerocognitive
Examination (SAGE) has been found to be a useful tool for assessing cognitive function in the elderly. SAGE didn't know how well it could predict Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia at the time.
Memory loss can be detected using a self-administered test.
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) has performed well in comparison to clinician-administered tests like the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), as well as routine neuropsychological testing. As far as how well SAGE could predict who would get Alzheimer's disease or another kind of dementia, there was no way to know.
Future forecasting
The authors used a retrospective chart review of 655 people seen in their memory problems clinic over an 8.8-year period to answer this question. The SAGE exam was compared to the MMSE.
They separated their clinic population into four categories based on both initial and follow-up clinic visits. Let me define a few concepts before I describe the groups:
When cognitive impairment leads to impaired function, it is referred to as dementia.
Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is defined as a cognitive impairment with normal function.
When people are anxious about their thinking and memory but their cognition and function are normal, this is referred to as subjective cognitive decline.
Individuals in four different groups were compared.
MCI who converted to Alzheimer’s disease dementia
MCI who converted to another type of dementia
subjective cognitive decline.
They discovered an unexpectedly high connection between the SAGE test and the MMSE in predicting how each of these groups performed over time. Furthermore, they discovered that the SAGE test may predict the conversion of a person with MCI who will develop dementia six months before the MMSE.
What is required to implement this test in today's practice?
Even a self-administered test that people may perform at home will necessitate training for primary care physicians in order for them to learn how to use the test and interpret the results. However, there is no doubt that such training will be beneficial. After the training, the knowledge learned should be able to save thousands of hours of clinician time, as well as prevent missed—or incorrect—diagnoses.
Another question is how people will react if they are told they must conduct a 10-to-15-minute cognitive test at home and report the findings to their doctor. Will they go through with it? Or will those who are most in need of the test ignore it—or cheat on it? People who are concerned, as well as those who normally follow their doctor's advice, are likely to take the test. Some people who would benefit from the information provided by the test may refuse to take it, but many of them would also refuse to take "normal" pencil-and-paper testing with a doctor or clinic staff.
A new method of cognitive screening has been developed.
Previously, clinician-administered cognitive tests and family/caregiver questionnaires were the two types of screening devices used to detect if someone was developing cognitive impairment that could progress to dementia. The third sort of screening tool is now available: a self-administered test. The use of self-administered tests will be critical in recognizing the growing number of people with Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia who will be with us in the coming decades.
Do you want to test yourself?
The SAGE test can be downloaded here. Please take the answer sheet to your doctor, as directed on the website, so that they can score it and discuss the results with you.
Frequently asked questions about the Sage test
Is there a dementia test you can do at home?
In the United States, about 5 million persons over the age of 65 suffer from dementia. A new at-home test may be able to detect early signs of the disease. SAGE is an online test that can also be downloaded and performed at your doctor's office.
How can I tell if I'm losing my memory?
Take the SAGE exam to detect memory difficulties early.
The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is a screening tool for early indicators of cognitive, memory, and thinking problems. It assesses your cognitive ability and assists specialists in determining how effectively your brain is functioning.
What is the most effective memory test?
MRI produces detailed images of organs, soft tissues, bones, and almost all other internal body components using a high magnetic field, radiofrequency pulses, and a computer. An MRI scan of the head may be ordered by doctors to rule out other causes of memory loss, such as tumours or infections.
Is it possible to test yourself for Alzheimer's?
If you fear your elderly loved one is suffering from memory, thinking, or judgment issues, you may want them to take the SAGE dementia exam. This free at-home pen-and-paper test takes only 15 minutes and accurately detects early Alzheimer's or dementia signs.
Can I take a cognitive test online?
The tasks in CogniFit's cognitive tests are entirely online, so anybody can complete them from the comfort of their own home using a computer and an internet browser, or on the move using our iPhone/iPad and Android mobile apps.
Get a free consultation from the Melody Jacob Health Team. Send us an email at godisablej66@gmail.com if you have any questions. Thanks for reading.
