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    Questionnaire Could Help Predict Alzheimer's: Study

    HealthDay – Fri, Feb 3, 2012

    FRIDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- A series of specific "yes" or "no" questions could help doctors distinguish between people who have normal memory loss that comes with age and those with a condition known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.

    Researchers from Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Arizona developed a questionnaire for patients' relatives or caregivers to complete. Known as AQ, the questionnaire consists of 21 items scored and weighted by how well they predicted problems with memory.

    The study, published online Feb. 3 in BMC Geriatrics, found that scores higher than 15 predicted Alzheimer's disease. Totals between 5 and 14 indicated amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Questionnaire scores of 4 or lower indicated no problems with memory.

    The researchers noted that six of the questions are known to be predictive of Alzheimer's disease and were given extra weighting. At least four questions were strongly linked to a diagnosis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

    "People with aMCI were more often reported as repeating questions and statements, having trouble knowing the date or time, having difficulties managing their finances and a decreased sense of direction," the study's leader, Michael Malek-Ahmadi, a psychometrist, explained in a journal news release. Psychometry is an area of psychology concerned with psychological measurements.

    "While the AQ cannot be used as a definitive guide to diagnosing [Alzheimer's disease] or aMCI, it is a quick and simple-to-use indicator that may help physicians determine which individuals should be referred for more extensive testing," he said.

    The study authors noted that their findings are particularly important because those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. These patients, they added, could benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

    More information

    The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about mild cognitive impairment.

     

    5 comments

    • *
      *  •  3 mths ago
      What are the 21 questions?
      • George
        George 3 mths ago
        You don't think that they are going to give the questions away for free. When the test becomes available it will have to be administered by a specialist - then provided to the patient after a hefty bill is paid by the patient.
    • sdpooh
      sdpooh  •  3 mths ago
      When a person has a family member who has contracted this it's a good thing to do this test. It will probably give one a head's up. I understand there are meds now that help. My grandma slipped away from us in the 80's (she was 89 yrs old) and when my dad died of a heart attack in the late 90's (at 72) the doctor said his post mortem showed "signs" of some slight dementia onset. I am going to ask my doctor about this test. I'm 64.
    • P-47 THUNDERBOLT
      P-47 THUNDERBOLT  •  3 mths ago
      My wife insists that I suffer from memory loss all the time and thinks it may be a precursor to Alzheimer's. I'm not sure she believes me when I tell her it's selective memory loss and it comes in quite handy at times.
      • *
        * 3 mths ago
        You are so mean and insensitive. I almost hope your wife gets it so you have to deal with her. Oh, but you are the type who would walk away and abandon her.
      • memphis699
        memphis699 3 mths ago
        Please don't joke!! Alzheimer's is NOT A JOKING MATTER!!!
      • P-47 THUNDERBOLT
        P-47 THUNDERBOLT 3 mths ago
        @ * nice name by the way, in short Get a life. I've been married for almost forty years and she loves my sense of humor. I really do feel sorry for people like you that have zero sense of humor.
        And Memphis, the same goes for you as well. I have numerous family members with a variety of diseases, from Parkinson, Lupus, Muscular Dystrophy, Tourette's Syndrome, and Dystonia. The amazing thing is that none of them have lost their sense of humor even when topics like this come up.
    • Alemap
      Alemap  •  3 mths ago
      My dad died with Alzheimer's & his sister has had it for quite a few years now. And my uncle from my mom's side has it as well. It's a bit scary when that many close family members have it. I would only take that test if insurance paid for it & you know they won't.
    • Sandy Beach
      Sandy Beach  •  Minneapolis, Minnesota  •  3 mths ago
      Fas as I've been told, there isn't any treatment. There is a pill, very expensive with lots of bad side effects, and does not really stop the progress of the disease. So why do they say be tested early for treatment? What treatment?
     Post a comment
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