Cognitive tests
Various psychological tests are available to be used to test for complaints of memory problems or when a diagnosis of dementia is being considered. Although the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was the most commonly used test it is not now recommended because of copyright reasons and ceiling and floor effects in early and late dementia respectively.
Recommended tests include:
- the Abbreviated Mental Test Score (AMTS)
- the General Practitioner Assessment of Cognition (GPCOG)
- the Mini-Cog
- the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MOCA), and
- the Functional Activities Questionnaire.
Resources
- Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carersJune 20 2018This NICE guideline covers diagnosing and managing dementia (including Alzheimer’s disease). It aims to improve care by making recommendations on training staff and helping carers to support people living with dementia.
- DiADeM (Diagnosis of Advanced Dementia Mandate in Care Homes)April 14 2016This protocol developed by the Yorkshire and Humber Dementia Strategic Clinical Network aims to support GPs to diagnose dementia for people living with advanced dementia in a care home setting.
- ACEmobileMay 13 2014ACEmobile is a mobile-friendly version of the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (ACE-III), a popular and commonly-used screening tools for dementia.
- Montreal cognitive assessmentMay 12 2014The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is a rapid screening instrument for mild cognitive dysfunction suitable for use in primary care settings.
- Addenbrookes cognitive examination-IIIThe Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-III (ACE) is one of the most popular and commonly used cognitive tests used in dementia clinics and in the assessment of other neurological disorders.
- Mini-CogThe Mini-Cog is a brief cognitive function test to screen for cognitive impairment in older adults in the primary care setting.
- General practitioner assessment of cognitionThe General practitioner assessment of cognition (GPCOG) is a reliable, valid and efficient tool to use to screen for dementia in primary care settings for people with carers.
- Six Item Cognitive Impairment TestThe Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT) is a brief cognitive function test which takes less than five minutes and is widely used in primary care settings.
- Abbreviated mental test scoreThe Abbreviated mental test score (AMTS) was developed in 1972 for assessing cognition. The test takes around five minutes and is widely used, particularly in UK general hospital settings.
- 10 key steps to improving timely diagnosis: A resource pack for Commissioners and General PracticesJanuary 29 2014This resource pack sets out key steps for Commissioners, and key steps for General Practices to improve the diagnosis of dementia, and the diagnosis pathway.
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Groups
- Cognitive neurology and dementia centreThe Cognitive neurology and dementia centre at St George's Hospital is a regional specialist centre for cognitive neuroscience and dementia, that works closely with other hospitals from across South West London, Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, and with GPs, community nursing teams, mental health services and social services.St George's Hospital, Blackshaw Road, London, SW17 0QThttps://www.stgeorges.nhs.uk/service/neuro/cognitive-neurology-dementia/
- Alzheimer’s SocietyAlzheimer's Society is a membership organisation, which works to improve the quality of life of people affected by dementia in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.Devon House, 58 St Katharine's Way, London, E1W 1LB020 7423 3500enquiries@alzheimers.org.ukhttp://www.alzheimers.org.uk/