Dementia Test Raises Red Flags YEARS Earlier?!
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted May 22, 2023
Do you get a bit worried that you have Alzheimer’s every time you forget something?
If so, you’re not alone. It’s a COMMON fear as we age.
After all, when you find yourself standing in the middle of a room wondering WHY you walked in there, it’s easy to think you could be headed down the road to dementia.
The truth is, forgetfulness is seldom the first sign of losing your mind. But it’s only natural to try to fill in the blanks on your own without an easy way to know if your brain is firing on all cylinders.
There’s a simple test if you want to know if your blood sugar is too high or low. Your blood pressure is also easy to measure at home.
But there isn’t a way to know if you’re developing dementia.
Well, until NOW…
In the past, if you suspected you might be having memory troubles, you simply had to wonder, worry, and wait.
But scientists have now developed an easy method to spot early signs of Alzheimer’s. And the test is as close as your smartphone or computer.
New research published in the journal Neurology used a new questionnaire for spotting some of the earliest and most subtle signs of dementia.
They found using this tool, they can predict who will get Alzheimer’s and who won’t with surprising accuracy.
For the study, they recruited 969 volunteers. They were tested using the Stages of Objective Memory Impairment (SOMI) system and followed for six years.
The test starts with a study phase in which people are shown four cards with drawings of four items.
They’re then asked to identify items in a particular category. For example, they might be prompted to name a fruit that had been pictured and they might say an orange.
Next, their recall is tested by asking them to remember the items. If they can’t remember any of them, they’re given category cues to test their memory storage.
The participants are then given a rating from SOMI-0 to SOMI-4 based on how well they did on the test.
- A score of SOMI-0 means ZERO signs of memory problems.
- SOMI-1 and 2 mean you’re having increasing difficulty retrieving memories. But they continue to retrieve memories when given clues. And this can precede dementia by five to eight years.
- Folks who get a SOMI-3 or 4 can’t remember the items even after they’re given clues. This typically precedes dementia by one to three years.
Currently, the official SOMI test is only available through your doctor. But if you’d like to put your mind at ease… or you simply want to gather some information BEFORE your appointment with a doctor… the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) is a similar online test you can try for free,
[SIGNOFF]
P.S. You don’t have to run marathons, avoid meat, and meditate all day long to protect your memories. You can make BIG improvements to your brain health by making small changes to your lifestyle. Start with THIS kitchen table trick.
Source:
“Association of Stages of Objective Memory Impairment With Incident Symptomatic Cognitive Impairment in Cognitively Normal Individuals,” Neurology Apr 2023, 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207276; DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000207276
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
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