is a broad term for a range of conditions that involve loss of mental ability and so cause problems with memory, language, behaviour and emotions. Dementia is most common in the elderly. Around five percent of people over the age of 65 are affected to some extent.
According to Alzheimer’s Disease International with increasing life expectancy, this is expected to surge to 75.6 million in 2030. Disease awareness and understanding is a huge challenge
What tests do you need to do to assess if a person has Dementia:
Mini mental state examination (MMSE): This is a brief 30-point questionnaire test. It takes about 10 minutes and examines functions including arithmetic, memory and orientation.
Abbreviated mental test score (AMTS): This was introduced in 1972 to rapidly assess elderly patients for the possibility of dementia.
Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS)
Cognitive Abilities Screening Instrument (CASI)
Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE): This is another approach to screening for dementia. A relative or caregiver of the patient fills out a questionnaire about the person's everyday cognitive functioning
Laboratory and Imaging tests
• Routine blood tests are usually performed to rule out treatable causes. These tests include vitamin B12, folic acid, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), C-reactive protein, full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, renal function and liver enzymes.
• A CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI scan) is commonly performed. These may suggest normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH), a type of brain malfunction caused by decreased absorption of cerebrospinal fluid that causes increase in the intracranial pressure), a potentially reversible cause of dementia. It can also yield information relevant for other types of dementia, such as infarction (stroke) that would point at a vascular type of dementia
Changed
26/Jul/2017
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