Spot Early Signs of Alzheimer’s By Yourself

Photo from:  http://masculineheart.blogspot.com/2010/07/preventing-cognitive-decline-and.html

Now, it only requires a pen and paper to identify whether a patient has early signs of cognitive impairment of cognitive problems like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Just print the SAGE test or Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination to the paper and it can be used to measure impairment.

It would be better to discover cognitive problems as early as possible for early pharmacological intervention may delay this. Now, people with Alzheimer’s disease usually take three to four years after first signs of the problem appear before they seek help. The number of Americans who has Alzheimer’s disease is approximately 4.7 millions right now so this test could help in preventing this problem.

The test is very practical since the whole process only takes a short time. Also, it could be administered anywhere without requiring any technology. Though can be self-administered, It is best scored by a doctor, in order to interpret it correctly and best determine if further evaluation is needed.

Though it does not definitively diagnose a cognitive problem, it is useful in checking whether impairments is happening and to be able to constantly monitor it. With this, cognitive problems can be detected early, and be exposed to treatment early.

Blogpost by: Carl Chan

Reference:

Scharre, Douglas. "Self-Administered Test Helps Spot Early Alzheimer's." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 21 Jan. 2014. Web. 26 Jan. 2014. <http://www.livescience.com/42715-alzheimers-pen-and-paper-test.html>.