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Suggest Treatment For Dementia

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Posted on Fri, 8 May 2015
Question: Im 22. I scored lower than a 26 on the moca because I couldn't do the serial 7's. I got all the memory question's correct though. I also did the rey auditory verbal learning test where I scored 14/15 on the delayed recall trial which is apparently way above average. I also did the reverse digit span test where I was able to repeat a string of 8 digit backward which is above average. My moca score got me worried about mci/dementia though, should I be worried about this?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I don't think you should worry about that

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

a young (and I suppose healthy) man with intact memory (as implied by the test results) should not worry too much. The major drawback of those tests is that certain individuals may not be accustomed to some of them. For example, you may be not very talented with numbers and mathematics. This is not a reason to diagnose dementia though!

Other people may not be very accustomed to other kind of tests but still be able to function perfectly in their daily routine which may include professional tasks. People with a broad education may be more accustomed to these tests and score higher numbers than their cognitive state would justify.

What I'm saying is that you cannot rely on these tests only to decide who has dementia or who's healthy. If you can cope with your job/studies/personal relationships then you're probably fine! If you have concerns then visiting a specialist is the only accurate way to investigate a potential problem.

I hope I've helped!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (12 minutes later)
Thanks for your answer.

I actually ended up doing the moca exam again 6 months later, using an alternate version to prevent learning affect. I got 29/30 and got all the serial 7 questions correct. Is this another reason not to worry?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
No worries!

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

the 29/30 is a high rating and the fact that you've completed the same test correctly should alleviate your concerns. You should remember, as I've mentioned in my previous answer, that these tests are not diagnostic, as they are not properly validated.

Kind Regards!
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3810 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Dementia

Brief Answer: I don't think you should worry about that Detailed Answer: Hello, a young (and I suppose healthy) man with intact memory (as implied by the test results) should not worry too much. The major drawback of those tests is that certain individuals may not be accustomed to some of them. For example, you may be not very talented with numbers and mathematics. This is not a reason to diagnose dementia though! Other people may not be very accustomed to other kind of tests but still be able to function perfectly in their daily routine which may include professional tasks. People with a broad education may be more accustomed to these tests and score higher numbers than their cognitive state would justify. What I'm saying is that you cannot rely on these tests only to decide who has dementia or who's healthy. If you can cope with your job/studies/personal relationships then you're probably fine! If you have concerns then visiting a specialist is the only accurate way to investigate a potential problem. I hope I've helped! Kind Regards!