A memory test can detect your risk of cognitive decline

The researchers recruited 969 people, with an average age of 69, who had normal cognition at the start of the study.

All participants completed a simple memory test that asked them to identify and recall items from different categories.

Participants were shown four cards and asked to identify the items depicted (eg, a grape) as well as the category the item fell into (ie, a fruit).

They were then asked to recall the items, which helped the researchers assess each person’s ability to remember and retrieve information.

Those who forgot items were given category hints to see if it refreshed their memory – a step that assessed memory storage.

The participants were divided into five groups which were based on their test scores and were followed for up to 10 years.

The researchers found that 47% of the group were in stage zero, which marked no memory problems.

Another 35% were at stage one and 13% were at stage two, which meant they had difficulty remembering information and, based on prediction models, could develop dementia within five to eight years. .

Finally, 5% of the group were in stages three and four, meaning they had trouble remembering all the items, even when hints were given.

Stages three and four are thought to precede dementia by one to three years.

Of the entire group, 234 people, or 24%, developed cognitive decline by the end of the study period.

Compared to the stage zero group, those in stages one and two were twice as likely to develop an impairment.

Participants in groups three and four were three times more likely to have cognitive impairment.

Based on their calculations, the researchers estimated that 72% of people in stages three and four, 57% in stage two, and 21% in stage one would develop cognitive impairment after 10 years.

According to the researchers, the results support the use of the SOMI system to predict future risk of cognitive impairment.

“A non-invasive screening test that stratifies future memory loss and cognitive risk would be of great benefit to clinical neurologists caring for and diagnosing people with dementia,” says Dr. Clifford SegilDO, a neurologist at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California.

Early detection of cognitive disorders, especially with Alzheimer’s diseasecan help people fight long-term memory problems.

It is difficult to predict who will experience future cognitive decline – a worrying reality when cognitive decline rate are increasing rapidly.

Previous research has shown that tests assessing episodic memory (events, word lists and stories), semantic memory (factual information), attention and mental speed can predict progression to dementia, says Skylar-Scott.

Neuropsychological trialslike the SOMI system, can be used to help doctors screen patients who may be at risk for future cognitive decline.

“The episodic loss of memory storage is one of the main clinical features of Alzheimer’s disease, and its presence may suggest the presence of underlying neuropathological changes such as the progressive accumulation of amyloid and tau proteins in the brain. “, says Skylar-Scott.

Patients who perform poorly on tests like the SOMI system can undergo biomarker screening together to understand their risk and determine if they may benefit from adopting interventions – such as medications or lifestyle modifications – to promote healthy brain aging.

For example, medications may be recommended to prevent silent strokes, Segil says.

“For Alzheimer’s dementia diagnoses, drugs like Aricept And I got married can slow the progression of memory loss,” adds Segil.

Segil says it’s important for patients to have additional tests because sometimes people’s cognitive decline is due to metabolic issues like hypothyroidism.

Neuroimaging can also help providers determine if memory loss is caused by brain tumors, strokes, and infectious causes of memory loss.

Skylar-Scott says anyone with memory issues, whether mild or severe, should talk to their doctor.

“When you start to worry about having memory loss, you should be evaluated by a neurologist to determine if your complaints are within the normal wide age range or something else,” Skylar-Scott says.

A simple memory test may be able to predict future cognitive decline in people who currently have no memory or thinking problems, according to new research. Given the study’s findings, future prevention-focused Alzheimer’s drug trials could selectively screen high-risk individuals who performed poorly on the memory test. Those at risk might also be advised to adopt interventions, such as medications and healthy lifestyle changes, to combat further decline.