Can Someone Explain Memory Test Results Please?

[Linz]

When dad goes for his 3 monthly visit to the hospital, they give him a short memory test but I'm not sure that the results really indicate the level of memory problems he has. For example, he seems to score a point if he guesses what day of the week it is, but I know that it's only a guess - he doesn't know the month or season. He has no problem with subtracting 7 from 100 and can do it quicker than me, but when they give hime three words to remember he can't even remember one. His reasoning and intelligence don't seem to be impaired at all he just has no short term memory.

Over the past 12 months, his score has only fallen from 24 to 23 (not sure what this means) but his memory and his mental state (depression and agitation) has altered considerably in this time.

Can anyone explain the results please?

[BeckyJan]

Hello:
The memory tests (MMSE) tend to be a guide for how an individual person deteriorates over a period of time. It is no good comparing one result with that of another person as each person changes in different ways over a period of time (no one person with dementia has identical symptoms).

Our Mental Health Team conducted these tests purely as justification for a prescription of Aricept. It seemed futile at the time but now my husband is at end stage I can see how slow his deterioration has been until the past 3 years. When the tests were conducted I was always asked to complete a questionnaire as a carer; this indicated to them the changes I found in his behaviour, memory etc. I also kept a diary/log of daily occurrences/behavioural problems, which I passed to them.

I hope you find TP helpful. Best wishes

Best wishes

[Onlyme]

As I understand it the scores go from 0-30. Any score under 20 shows signs of dementia etc and medication can be offered if suitable as not all types benefit from medication. 23 is boarder line. After the score falls below 10 dementia medication is generally stopped as it is felt that it is no longer of benefit.

Mum doesn't know what day it is, what month, what year or season, doesn't know how to take 7 from 100. As for the words.. what words? Mum scored 19 6 months ago and 17 2 months ago.

It is just a bench mark and the result can differ from day to day with dementia patients.

[Grannie G]

I was told the results of the MMSE test were viewed together with other information and are a rough guide only.
My husband scored 23 on diagnosis 6 years ago and is no longer tested.

[cragmaid]

Luckily the MMSE test is only one part of diagnosis and is normally used in conjunction with some other medical tests, CT or MRI scans, blood tests etc. My own mother scored 29 and 26 in the first two MMSE tests, 23 two months later, and her last one scored a lot lower but to talk with my mother an outsider would not necessarily know that there was a severe problem. She has a mixed diagnosis of Az and Vascular Dementia of a mild to moderate nature, and of course it is progressive.