Memory loss is the distinguishing factor in all Alzheimer's cases. However, in the early stages it can be difficult to detect as people often devise elaborate coping mechanisms that disguise their symptoms. Recent memories are the first to be affected. It is only as the Alzheimers condition progresses that more distant memories become affected. Short term memory refers to the brain's mechanism for storage of recent events or things learned. The duration for things stored in a brain's short term memory can be as little as hours or as long as a week or two. It is this recent storage capacity that causes initial difficulty for people with Alzheimer's.
Memory loss is a key factor of Alzheimers disease and it is easily tested. Therefore, it forms an important assesment tool for Alzheimer's diagnosis. A formerly extensively-used test to determine Alzheimer's was to ask a series of questions. These questions evaluated both short and long term memory.
Ten questions routinely asked include:
* Where are you now?
* What is your age?
* What is your date of birth?
* When was the first world war?
* Can you count backwards from 20-1?
* What it today's date?
* What month is it?
* What year is it?
* What is the name of the President or Prime Minister?
* The test administrator recites an address, then asks the person to repeat it to you after five minutes
If the patient is cooperative and has been asked these questions in a friendly manner, it is generally an easy test to conduct. It is also a useful assessment for diagnosing Alzheimers or dementia as it is quick, non-invasive and inexpensive. These questions not only test a person's short term and long term memory, but they also test for orientation. Consequently, it gives a general indication as to which areas of a person's memory may be most affected. On its own, a low score is not a conclusive diagnosis of dementia or Alzheimers disease, as it is possible that not all people will know all the answers to the questions. It is merely a guide to indicate that something may be wrong and further investigation is warranted.
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