Diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease is a challenging task that often relies on mental ability tests, questionnaires, and the process of ruling out other disorders with similar symptoms. A team of researchers in Japan recently developed a tool designed to expedite the diagnosis of the most common form of dementia in the elderly.
A list of questions. This new tool is based on a questionnaire and the so-called “head-turning sign (HTS).” In short, the method aims to identify signs of mild cognitive impairment by asking patients questions and analyzing their behavioral responses.
The HTS method. Doctors have been using the head-turning sign for years to diagnose dementia in older adults. This method involves observing a simple gesture. Patients with dementia often turn their heads to look for their caregivers. This gesture can occur in response to relatively straightforward questions.
The HTS tool has only recently gained recognition as a valid method for diagnosing this type of disease. Despite evidence supporting its effectiveness, scientists still don’t know the underlying neurological mechanisms of this sign.
Refining the method. In recent years, various expert groups have worked to improve the HTS tool. The most recent development combines this tool with a questionnaire called “Neucop-Q.” This test consists of three questions that assess an individual’s awareness of their cognitive limitations, their enjoyment of leisure activities, and their knowledge of current events.
155 participants. The Japanese study was published in the journal Alzheimer’s Research & Therapy. It involved 155 participants, including healthy individuals and those at different stages and with various forms of dementia and cognitive impairment.
Researchers found that both the HTS sign and the questions regarding self-awareness and current events were effective in identifying indicators of Alzheimer’s disease and early-stage mild cognitive impairment.
Paving the way. In their study, researchers highlight the importance of early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. The team emphasizes that timely intervention and effective therapies are essential to improving the quality of life for patients and their families.
While diagnostic methods like positron emission tomography and cerebrospinal fluid analysis can be highly accurate, they’re often expensive and invasive. As such, the team underscores the value of simpler methods that can provide initial indications of the disease and guide further action.
Researchers also advise caution. According to the study, “HTS and Neucop-Q have the potential to be a powerful first-line screening sign and tool for suspecting [mild cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer’s disease] and [Alzheimer’s disease] in memory clinics.”
Image | Siarhei Plashchynski
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