Questionnaire could help predict Alzheimer's

Updated:

Alzheimer'sMore>>
'Bad' fat may hurt brain function over time
'Bad' fat may hurt brain function over time
Women who eat a lot of "bad" saturated fat may hurt their overall brain function and memory over time, Harvard University researchers report.More >>
Women who eat a lot of "bad" saturated fat may hurt their overall brain function and memory over time, Harvard University researchers report.More >>
How that glass of red wine might help you live longer
How that glass of red wine might help you live longer
Researchers have found new evidence showing that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may play a role in preventing cell aging.More >>
Researchers have found new evidence showing that resveratrol, a compound found in red wine, may play a role in preventing cell aging.More >>
Researchers ID genes that may determine mental illness
Researchers ID genes that may determine mental illness
Genes that increase or reduce the risk of certain mental illnesses and Alzheimer's disease have been identified by an international team of scientists.More >>
Alzheimer's-like memory loss reversed in mice
Alzheimer's-like memory loss reversed in mice
New research in mice suggests that Alzheimer's disease triggers a protein that contributes to the breakdown of the brain's memory.More >>
Selenium supplements may help -- or harm
Selenium supplements may help -- or harm
While getting the right amount of selenium in your diet can boost your immune function and lower your risk of death, you can get too much of a good thing. More >>
Exercise a defense against dementia
Exercise a defense against dementia
Here's another reason to get into shape: Physical activity may reduce the risk of dementia-related death, according to a new study.More >>
Screening by primary-care doctors may spot dementia
Screening by primary-care doctors may spot dementia
Routine screening at primary care clinics led to a two- to threefold increase in diagnoses of brain-function impairments such as dementia in older veterans, researchers say.More >>
Questionnaire could help predict Alzheimer's
Questionnaire could help predict Alzheimer's
A series of specific "yes" or "no" questions could help doctors distinguish between people who have normal memory loss that comes with age and those with a condition known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment.More >>
Same genes key to early and late-onset Alzheimer's
Same genes key to early and late-onset Alzheimer's
People who develop Alzheimer's disease late in life may have the same gene mutations linked to the inherited, early onset form of the condition, according to a new study.More >>
Antidepressants might raise fall risk in nursing homes
Antidepressants might raise fall risk in nursing homes
Antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) are associated with an increased risk of falls in nursing home residents with dementia, a new study finds.More >>

HealthMore>>
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
Scientists turn skin cells into cardiac cells to help failing hearts
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
In a medical science first, researchers turned skin cells from heart failure patients into heart muscle cells that may then be used to fix damaged cardiac tissue.More >>
Do bald men face higher risk of prostate cancer?
Do bald men face higher risk of prostate cancer?
Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >>
Got hair? If you don't, you might have a higher risk of prostate cancer, a preliminary study suggests.More >>
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
U.S. teens heading for heart trouble
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Many American teenagers, including some with a normal, healthy weight, already have one or more risk factors for heart disease, researchers say.More >>
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning is leading cause of kids' accidental death
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
Drowning kills more American children 1 to 4 years old than any cause except birth defects, according to a new federal report.More >>
Teens' love of loud music tied to drinking, drug abuse
Teens' love of loud music tied to drinking, drug abuse
In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >>
In a new study, teens who loved listening to music blasting at high decibels on their MP3 players were also more likely than others to smoke marijuana.More >>
8 all-natural allergy remedies
8 all-natural allergy remedies
In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >>
In addition to over-the-counter and prescription medications, there are a few additional moves that can help ease the sniffles, sneezes and watery eyes of seasonal allergies.More >>
Possible link between certain sunscreens, endometriosis
Possible link between certain sunscreens, endometriosis
A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis.More >>
A preliminary study links chemicals found in certain sunscreens to a higher risk of endometriosis, but it's too soon to say whether there's any reason for women to change their habits.More >>
Being obese may make job search tougher
Being obese may make job search tougher
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. More >>
It was the small square photo clipped to an applicant's resume that most influenced whether a woman would be hired. But there was a hidden catch: The pictures showed the same six women both before and after weight-loss.More >>
Could nasal spray of 'love hormone' treat autism?
Could nasal spray of 'love hormone' treat autism?
Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions involved with processing social information.More >>
Children with autism given a squirt of a nasal spray containing the hormone oxytocin showed more activity in brain regions known to be involved with processing social information, a small study found.More >>
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis, new research says.More >>
Dinosaurs may have suffered from arthritis, new research says.More >>

FRIDAY, Feb. 3 (HealthDay News) -- A series of specific "yes" or "no" questions could help doctors distinguish between people who have normal memory loss that comes with age and those with a condition known as amnestic mild cognitive impairment, according to a new study.

Researchers from Banner Sun Health Research Institute in Arizona developed a questionnaire for patients' relatives or caregivers to complete. Known as AQ, the questionnaire consists of 21 items scored and weighted by how well they predicted problems with memory.

The study, published online Feb. 3 in BMC Geriatrics, found that scores higher than 15 predicted Alzheimer's disease. Totals between 5 and 14 indicated amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). Questionnaire scores of 4 or lower indicated no problems with memory.

The researchers noted that six of the questions are known to be predictive of Alzheimer's disease and were given extra weighting. At least four questions were strongly linked to a diagnosis of amnestic mild cognitive impairment.

"People with aMCI were more often reported as repeating questions and statements, having trouble knowing the date or time, having difficulties managing their finances and a decreased sense of direction," the study's leader, Michael Malek-Ahmadi, a psychometrist, explained in a journal news release. Psychometry is an area of psychology concerned with psychological measurements.

"While the AQ cannot be used as a definitive guide to diagnosing [Alzheimer's disease] or aMCI, it is a quick and simple-to-use indicator that may help physicians determine which individuals should be referred for more extensive testing," he said.

The study authors noted that their findings are particularly important because those with amnestic mild cognitive impairment are at greater risk for developing Alzheimer's disease. These patients, they added, could benefit from early diagnosis and treatment.

More information

The U.S. National Library of Medicine has more about mild cognitive impairment.

*DISCLAIMER*: The information contained in or provided through this site section is intended for general consumer understanding and education only and is not intended to be and is not a substitute for professional advice. Use of this site section and any information contained on or provided through this site section is at your own risk and any information contained on or provided through this site section is provided on an "as is" basis without any representations or warranties.

News Feeds - RSS
News Feeds - RSS
KTRE.com RSS News Feeds RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an easy way for you to keep up with all of your favorite news and information.More >>
KTRE.com RSS News Feeds RSS (Really Simple Syndication) is an easy way for you to keep up with all of your favorite news and information. An RSS feed contains headlines and links to full news storiesMore >>
KTRE 9 To Go mobile app
KTRE 9 To Go mobile app
Get news, weather, sports, movie and TV listings, stocks, flight tracker, and more, anytime, anywhere on your cell phone or PDA with KTRE 9 To Go! Click here for details.More >>
Get news, weather, sports, and video anytime, anywhere on your smart phone with the KTRE 9 To Go mobile app! Click here for detailsMore >>
StormTracker 9 Weather mobile app
StormTracker 9 Weather mobile app
The StormTracker 9 Weather mobile app offers interactive radar, video and text forecasts, alerts and much more to help you plan your day and to be on alert for severe weather.More >>
The StormTracker 9 Weather mobile app offers interactive radar, video and text forecasts, alerts and much more to help you plan your day and to be on alert for severe weather.More >>
The Weather Blog
The Weather Blog
Curious about East Texas Weather? Want to get the latest weather stories? Check out the weather blog. You never know what a meteorologist is thinking!
Curious about East Texas Weather? Want to get the latest weather stories? Check out the weather blog. You never know what a meteorologist is thinking!More >>

KTRE.com | Lufkin and Nacogdoches, Texas Questionnaire could help predict Alzheimer's

Questionnaire could help predict Alzheimer's

Video Gallery

Alzheimer'sMore>>

HealthMore>>

Explore KTRE.com