Telephone memory test for detecting Alzheimer’s disease

What is it about?

Reliable Alzheimer’s disease detection requires cognitive tests that identify changes in memory performance before dementia, the severe impairment of cognition. Cognitive testing over the telephone offers new opportunities for Alzheimer’s disease diagnostics, as it is cost-effective and widely available to an increasing number of older adults. It is important to make sure that telephone tests are usable for the very old individuals as well.

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Photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash

Photo by Prateek Katyal on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Finding accessible ways to detect early cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease decreases the negative effects caused by undiagnosed dementia. Accessible testing also improves equality in healthcare, especially in areas where clinics are far away. In this study, a memory test during a telephone interview with a healthcare professional, that used a list of words, performed equally well as a test taken at the doctor's office. The test was suitable for people aged 65 and older, as well as those aged 90 or older.