Dementia Test Questions: SAGE Exam for Early Signs of Alzheimer's

Dementia Test Questions: Assessing Memory, Thinking and Cognitive Skills

Noticing problems with memory, communication or thinking? Dementia screening tests like the SAGE test can help identify early signs of cognitive decline. Read on to learn more about the types of dementia test questions, what the exams assess, and when to take one.

What is the SAGE Dementia Screening Test?

The SAGE test stands for "Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam." It is a brief cognitive screening tool designed to detect early signs of memory loss and thinking problems that may indicate Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

The SAGE test takes about 15 minutes to complete and can be administered at home. It evaluates several domains including:

• Orientation
• Language and naming
• Memory
• Executive functioning
• Visual-spatial abilities

Performance is scored across multiple cognitive domains to help identify subtle issues that could signal dementia.

Sample SAGE Dementia Test Questions

The SAGE test includes the following types of questions:

Orientation

• What year is it right now?
• What month are we in?
• What day of the week is today?
• What season are we in?

Naming

• Name this animal: Cat
• Name this food: Strawberry
• Name this object: Chair

Memory

• Remember these words: Apple, Table, Penny
• Recall the three words I asked you to remember.

Executive Functioning

• Count backwards from 100 by 7s.
• Spell the word WORLD backwards.
• Take 7 away from 100. Now take 7 away from the difference. Keep subtracting 7 from each new number.

Language

• Repeat this sentence after me: The cat always hid under the couch when dogs were in the room.
• Tell me as many words as you can that begin with the letter F in one minute.

Visuospatial

• Copy this image: (simple cube drawing)
• Draw a line from number 1 to 2 to 3 and so on: (connect the dots)

This sample shows the types of dementia screening questions that assess multiple cognitive skills and abilities.

Domains Tested by the SAGE Dementia Exam

The SAGE dementia test evaluates the following cognitive domains:

Orientation

Orientation involves awareness of time, place and person. The test assesses orientation by asking questions about the date, day, month, year and season.

Naming

Naming or word retrieval ability is assessed by showing pictures of objects and animals and asking the patient to correctly name them.

Memory

Verbal memory is evaluated by asking the patient to recall a list of words provided earlier in the test.

Executive Functioning

Executive functioning involves planning, organizing, sequencing and flexible thinking. It is tested through number calculations and spelling tasks.

Language

Language skills like comprehension, repetition and fluency are measured by having patients follow verbal instructions for tasks.

Visuospatial Abilities

Visuospatial skills involve the perception and replication of images. Copying drawings and connecting-the-dots assess these abilities.

By examining all of these areas, the SAGE test can identify problems across multiple aspects of cognition and mental functioning.

Accuracy of the SAGE Dementia Test

Research shows that the SAGE test has good sensitivity and specificity for detecting cognitive impairment consistent with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

In validation studies, the SAGE test correctly identified:

• 80% of people with mild dementia
• 89% of people with moderate dementia

It had a 90% accuracy rate for predicting who would develop dementia vs healthy adults over time. The SAGE test performed nearly as well as longer and more complex traditional pen-and-paper dementia screening examinations.

When to Take the SAGE Dementia Test

The SAGE self-administered cognitive screening test is designed for use by adults in the comfort of their own homes. It can identify early signs of dementia years before full-blown symptoms emerge.

Consider taking the SAGE dementia test if you notice any mild changes in:

• Memory
• Language
• Thinking skills
• Judgment
• Attention
• Problem-solving abilities

The SAGE test is available free online and takes about 15 minutes to complete. It can help determine if your symptoms require further evaluation by a doctor.

Importance of Early Dementia Screening

Catching dementia early offers many benefits including:

• Maximizing treatment time: Although not curable, certain medications can temporarily manage dementia symptoms and slow progression in the early stages.
• Planning for the future: An early diagnosis provides more time to make legal, financial and lifestyle adjustments while still cognitively able.
• Improving quality of life: Implementing coping strategies and support early on can help preserve independence and daily functioning.
• Participating in clinical trials: Those diagnosed early have a longer window to participate in promising clinical research for new dementia treatments.

The SAGE exam helps identify subtle cognitive changes long before dementia substantially impacts a person's daily life and independence.

Interpreting SAGE Dementia Test Scores and Results

So you've taken the SAGE dementia screening test. How can you interpret your scores and results?

SAGE Test Scoring

The SAGE test provides a quantitative total score as well as subscores in each cognitive domain. Standardized cutoffs determine if your scores are in the normal range or indicate possible mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia:

• Total Score: 0-17 points
• Orientation: 0-5 points
• Naming: 0-3 points
• Memory: 0-5 points
• Language: 0-2 points
• Executive Functioning: 0-4 points
• Visuospatial: 0-3 points

The highest possible score is 17. Lower scores indicate worse performance. To screen positive for possible dementia, your scores generally need to be 1.5 standard deviations below age-adjusted norms.

Test Outcomes

There are a few possible outcomes from your SAGE dementia screening test results:

• Normal: Scores in the normal range suggest you currently have no significant cognitive impairment.
• Possible MCI: Scores slightly below normal may indicate mild cognitive impairment requiring further evaluation.
• Possible dementia: Abnormal scores could signify Alzheimer's, another dementia or an underlying medical issue.

Borderline or very low scores warrant a complete medical workup and formal diagnosis by a physician who specializes in cognitive disorders.

Next Steps After Abnormal SAGE Test Results

What should you do if your SAGE scores suggest possible dementia or MCI? Next steps include:

• Discuss results with your primary doctor
• Get lab tests to check for underlying illness
• Have a family member take the test for comparison
• Get evaluated by a neurologist or neuropsychologist
• Undergo brain imaging tests like an MRI or CT scan
• Get a formal diagnosis if dementia or MCI is confirmed

Early intervention can help maximize remaining cognitive skills and independence. But the first step is identifying subtle changes through screening tools like the SAGE exam.

Limitations of the SAGE Dementia Test

While very useful, the SAGE dementia test does have some limitations to be aware of:

• Results can be influenced by education level.
• It may not detect subtle executive functioning issues.
• People good at masking symptoms may score higher.
• It does not assess complex problem solving or judgment.
• Further testing is needed to confirm diagnosis and subtype.

Think of the SAGE exam as an initial screening tool only. Workup by a qualified medical professional is required for an accurate diagnosis of any cognitive disorder suggested by the screening results.

The Takeaway

The SAGE dementia test presents questions assessing orientation, memory, language, attention and other cognitive domains. Performance helps identify subtle changes warranting further evaluation and early intervention. While not diagnostic, the SAGE is a quick, accessible screening tool to determine if your symptoms require a full medical workup.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.