I would like to know if anybody can explain about the different test that is given to people with ALZ? Kathryn has had two different kind of test. I watched her take a short one at the doctors office and it involved things like drawing the numbers into a clock face and then arranging the hands to a time the doctor asked her to make them (10:50). It took her a good ten minutes to draw in the numbers last time and then they were not even close to being in the right position. They were in the right order 1 - 12. When she asked her to make the hands of the clock say 10:50 she never got it. I could she her trying so hard to do it and then she began to panic and the doctor told her not to worry about it that it was ok. The doctor asked her the three words several times during the course of all this and she could not remember them.
Kathryn also had a test that lasted 6 hours by a clinical physiologist. I wasn't able to be there. Have any of you witnessed this test. Can you tell me about it? All I really know is when it was over they determined that Kathryn was moderately severe (What is moderately Severe?). She does a little worse each time she takes the short test at the doctor’s office.
Jim, the short one is the MMSE (Mini Mental State Exam). DO a google search on it and you'll find it, can download it etc. Some of the questions change from time to time with different doctors, but the clock, and the three words and so on usually are in there. The long one, someone else can speak to. My husband got 16 on the MMSE the last time, but they seem to go up and down to some degree.
My husband (who has FTD) was tested by a neuropsychologist that lasted about 6 hours. I was interviewed and asked to fill out questionaires regarding what I had seen. I was not allowed to be present for most of the testing. I did get to be involved in the portion of the test that looked at his ability to follow instructions on hand movement (I'm not sure what that is called) and he thought it was particularly funny. Two weeks later we were given the results which showed where he was impaired. My husband has very little insight into his disease.
The test itself was very involved as it actually consisted of many different types of testing that test the different parts of the brain. It tested his language, ability to follow instructions, put things in certain orders, etc.
JimB those 2 tests are fairly common to determine where your DW is with regards to the course of the disease and to gain input as to the original diagnosis is correct. my DH had both of these tests as well. the mini test was done over the course of many visits to see how he was progressing. eventually the dr wont need to do this test.. the other long cognitive testing is quite extensive and gives them input on which parts of the brain are diminished in function. you should ask for a copy of it from the dr who administered that test. it will tell you quite alot about your wifes condition. be prepared some of the results are not easy to read. divvi
After reading the 7 stages in ALZ.org this is what I have seen Kathryn go thru:
Now looking back we should have been concerned, but we had no idea. It has been going on for years.
Individuals may feel as if they have memory lapses, especially in forgetting familiar words or names or the location of keys, eyeglasses or other everyday objects. Performance issues in social or work settings noticeable to family, friends or co-workers Kathryn Was asked to resign or be fired for poor performance. She has trouble reading a passage and retaining material Losing or misplacing a valuable object Decline in ability to plan or organize Decreased knowledge of recent occasions or current events Decreased capacity to perform complex tasks, such as planning dinner for guests, paying bills and managing finances. Kathryn asked me if she could make me a sandwich. I said a ham and cheese would be great. She had to ask four times and them I went in and we made them together. Reduced memory of personal history She seems subdued and withdrawn, especially in socially or mentally challenging situations She unable to recall such important details as our current address, telephone number. She can recall the name of the college or high school she graduated from but can’t remember what year she graduated from any or which degree she got from each. She can not tell you the date, day, year or season She has trouble with less challenging mental arithmetic; for example, counting backward from 40 by 4s or from 20 by 2s Usually retain substantial knowledge about themselves and know their own name and the names of their spouse or children She requires no assistance with eating or using the toilet. Recollect their personal history imperfectly, She is still pretty good with names of friends. Kathryn has just started to experience disruption changes in her normal sleep/waking cycle.
It appears to me that Kathryn is somewhere between satge 5 and stage 6 according to this. What do you think by looking at this?
I think you are right. But remember the rule, if you have seen one Alzheimer's patient, you have seen one Alzheimer's patient. They don't all follow the stages exactly. Some are at one point in Stage 4, while doing something else that is listed in Stage 7. Some of them stay at a plateau for years. Some head straight downhill. We all want to have a label to help us steer our ship, but try as we might, none of them follow the stages exactly.