DIY Cognitive Screening

Researchers at The Ohio State Universityt (Ohio, USA) have developed a do-it-yourself test that can help doctors spot early symptoms of cognitive issues in their patients. The Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE test) can also be taken at home by patients, who can then share the results with their physicians to promote early disease detection.  Taking less than 15 minutes to complete, Douglas Scharre and colleagues posit that the SAGE test enables doctors to get a baseline of cognitive function in their patients, so they can be followed for a later onset of Alzheimer’s Disease.  As well, the team suggests that the SAGE test could also provide health care providers and caregivers an earlier indication of life-changing events that could lie ahead. Earlier research by Scharre found that four out of five people (80%) with mild thinking and memory (cognitive) issues will be detected by this test, and 95% of people without issues will have normal SAGE scores. Observing that: “From … 1,047 individuals over age 50 screened with SAGE …cognitive impairment was identified in 28%,” the study authors submit that: “Community cognitive screening using SAGE was found to be feasible and efficient in diverse settings with both small and large groups.”