Abstract
Purpose of Review
Dementia detection in the community is challenging. The purpose of this paper is to review methods of dementia screening and provide a useable algorithm for screening for dementia a variety of clinical settings.
Recent Findings
In recent years, a number of brief performance and informant-based assessments have been developed and validated in research, clinical, and community samples. These assessments are now complemented by patient self-reports that afford the ability to detect subjective cognitive impairment.
Summary
An optimal approach to dementia screening is to combine performance, informant, and self-reports, many of which can be completed in the waiting room or by non-physician staff prior to the start of the office visit. This diverse information may help inform the provider as to the presence or absence of a cognitive disorder, assist in staging the extent of the disorder, and help to develop a differential diagnosis and management plan.
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James Galvin is the primary copyright holder of the AD8 (with Washington University) and the QDRS (with New York University). His research is supported by grants from NIH (R01 AG040211, U01 NS100610, R01 AG054425, and R01 AG056610), the Florida Department of Health, and the Harry T. Mangurian Foundation. He serves as a consultant for Biogen, Axovant, Eli Lilly, and Eisai. He directs clinical trials for Novartis, Amgen, Genentech, Biogen, Janssen, and Axovant. None of the sponsors are involved in the development or publication of this manuscript.
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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.
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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Neurology of Aging
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Galvin, J.E. Using Informant and Performance Screening Methods to Detect Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia. Curr Geri Rep 7, 19–25 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0236-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-018-0236-2