A new short test is faster and better at diagnosing the disease than other exams
Even though dementia affects 24 million people around the world, diagnosing the disease in its early stages has been a complex process. But now a short, easy-to-use cognitive test has been developed, which can even identify Alzheimer’s. The “test your memory” questionnaire scores participants on their ability to complete a series of 10 tasks such as calculation, verbal fluency and recall. Compared to the two tests that have historically been used—the Addenbrooke cognitive exam and the mini-mental state exam—TYM is better. In a study, it detected 93 per cent of patients with Alzheimer’s, compared to 52 per cent detection using the mini-mental state exam. And it took less time to administer than the Addenbrooke.