Cognitive test can detect signs of Alzheimer's earlier than ever

[Text on screen: The best way to slow down the effects of Alzheimer's disease is early detection.]

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[Text on screen: Dr. Douglas Scharre
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center 
Center for Cognitive and Memory Disorders]

Dr. Douglas Scharre: It's really important to identify cognitive issues early, because we can do so much more if you catch something early. 

[Text on screen: A cognitive test developed here at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center can detect signs of Alzheimer's disease earlier than ever before.
SAGE Test
Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination]

SAGE is a self-administered, cognitive assessment tool. Most tests that we do to test cognitive and thinking and memory abilities all require an administrator. So you have to have someone that gives it to you. This test has the advantage that you can take it by yourself. You can take it at home. There's digital versions of it now.

We compared SAGE, a self-administered test, to the most common administered test for thinking and memory. So we did a consecutive series of patients at our memory disorder clinic at Ohio State, over 600 patients. Everyone that came in, we gave them mini-mental state and SAGE tests, followed them over time. 

[Text on screen: Study results 
SAGE Test detected early signs of dementia at least six months earlier than standard test]

Basically, what we found was that SAGE was picking up on these individuals who developed dementia at least six months earlier than if you just used this mini-mental state test.

We're having a big push to identify people as early as possible and when these new medications that are more useful the earlier you take them, tests like the self-administered SAGE, is really going to help get people have a chance to be able to take medications or treatments, improve quality of life, hopefully slow down the progression of the disease and have a little bit longer period of time where they can enjoy their life and their brain and their family.

[Text on screen: The SAGE test can be taken at home by you or a loved one. For more information and to download the SAGE Test:
wexnermedical.osu.edu/sage
The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center]

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