Novel test may help diagnose early dementia

London, June 10 (ANI): Researchers at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge have created a new cognitive test that detects Alzheimer's disease quicker and more accurate than many current tests.

According to a study, which has been published online in the British Medical Journal, the breakthrough test could help diagnose early dementia.

The TYM ("test your memory") is a series of 10 tasks including ability to copy a sentence, semantic knowledge, calculation, verbal fluency and recall ability. The ability to do the test is also scored.

Each task carries a score with a maximum score of 50 points available. The test is designed to use minimal operator time and to be suitable for non-specialist use.

The test was completed by 540 healthy individuals (controls) aged 18 to 95 years of age with no history of neurological disease, memory problems or brain injury. A further 139 patients with diagnosed Alzheimer's or mild cognitive impairment were also tested. (ANI)