“SAGE” is a recently-released self-administered cognitive screening test developed by the Ohio State University Medical Center’s Department of Neurology. Publicly available to anyone online, the purpose of the SAGE test is to determine the level, if any, of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or early dementia. MCI is also known as isolated memory impairment and is used to describe people who have memory loss beyond what is expected for their age and education level, but which does not interfere with their day-to-day activities. It is generally seen as a risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s disease later in life.
MCI is diagnosed through a series of tests performed by a doctor. Testing can be extensive and includes observation, brain scans, blood tests and psychological testing. The SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination) test developed by doctors at Ohio State University was determined in a study to be a reliable test for detecting cognitive impairment in people ages 59 and above [1].
Who wouldn’t like to take a written test in the comfort of their home that can reveal whether they may have dementia, Alzheimer’s disease or cognitive impairment? After all, going to a doctor and asking to be tested for these things is not straightforward. There are genetic tests to determine who is at risk for developing Alzheimer’s and doctors can send patients for brain scans to see if there is any deterioration of the brain. But neither of these testing options sounds appealing to those who are just curious about the health of their brain. Therefore SAGE was designed to combat this problem.
SAGE is a useful pre-screening test that can be performed in the privacy of your home. It takes approximately 15 minutes to take the test and no special equipment is needed. There are four versions of the test, which allows people to take it up to 4 times over a period of time to determine if there is a decline in cognitive function over time. Scoring instructions and an explanation of the scores are also available. It is important to remember that SAGE is just a pre-screening test and should in no way take the place of a doctor’s diagnosis of MCI, dementia or Alzheimer’s. SAGE is just an easy way to determine if it is necessary to be evaluated by a doctor.
SAGE also gives families the opportunity to more closely monitor their aging family members for signs of MCI, dementia or Alzheimer’s. They will be able to detect changes in cognition earlier which will allow their loved ones to get to a doctor for treatment earlier. This is important because treatments for Alzheimer’s disease are more successful when the disease is diagnosed early. This test, available to anyone online, is a successful way to help an aging loved one get the care they may need.
To download the SAGE test, scoring instructions and an explanation of interpreting the scores go here: http://www.sagetest.osu.edu/
References
1. Scharre DW, Chang S-I, Murden RA, Lamb J, Beversdorf DQ, Kataki M, Naharaja HN, Bornstein RA: Self-administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE): A brief cognitive assessment instrument for Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and early dementia. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2010;24:64-71.
