Sometimes we feel like, "Oh, I'm forgetting everything these days," right? Where the house keys were, the trip we were supposed to take with a friend, or what happened in the TV show we watched yesterday... When these things happen, it makes us a little scared. We wonder if this is just a normal part of getting older, or if it's something more serious. That's when cognitive tests can help us.
What is this 'cognitive' ability and test?
Simply put, 'Cognitive' refers to the collection of very important abilities in our brain, such as thinking, remembering, understanding, reasoning, and making decisions. This is like the 'Operating System' of our brain.
So, a 'cognitive' test is a simple test that looks for any weakness in your abilities, that is, 'cognitive impairment' . The important thing is, this test does not directly tell you that you have a disease. Instead, it gives your doctor a signal that says, "Okay, there seems to be a little problem here, let's look a little deeper." It's like a 'checkup' for our brain.
Why do I need to take this kind of test?
Generally, as we age, the risk of developing diseases related to memory and thinking increases. Therefore, doctors perform this type of test when an elderly person goes for a routine medical check-up. Because early detection of conditions like dementia and Alzheimer 's disease is very important for treatment and disease control.
But this is not limited to the elderly. Anyone of any age may need this type of test. If you feel like you have any of the symptoms below, or if a family member or friend has told you about them, it is definitely best to talk to your doctor.
| Common symptoms of cognitive impairment | |
|---|---|
| Symptom | Simple example |
| Forgetting appointments | I forget that the day I was supposed to see the doctor, I said I was going to a friend's house. |
| Forgetting where things were | I'm always looking for things like my house keys, my two glasses, and my purse. |
| Asking the same question over and over again | When you're talking, even if you answer, you keep asking the same thing over and over again. |
| Difficulty understanding | I can't understand what's happening on a TV show or what someone is saying. |
| Forgetting words | Even when I speak, I get stuck without being able to remember a very simple word. |
| Other features | Constantly having to make lists, getting lost and not being able to find your way, getting angry for no reason, anxiety. |
What are the reasons for these weaknesses?
There can be many causes for this type of memory loss, some of which can be treated.
- Side effects of medications: Some medications can cause temporary memory loss.
- Vascular diseases: Problems with the blood vessels that supply blood to the brain.
- Depression: Depression can also affect memory.
- Dementia: Diseases that gradually destroy brain cells, such as Alzheimer's.
- Thyroid disease: Imbalances in thyroid hormones.
- Vitamin deficiencies : Especially deficiencies of things like vitamin B12.
- Sleep disorders: Not getting enough sleep.
What should you expect when facing the test?
There's nothing to be afraid of. This is not a test where you get an injection or have blood drawn. The doctor will ask you a few questions and give you some simple tasks. You can bring a family member or friend with you if you want.
There are three types of tests that are often used:
| Name of the test | Time taken (minutes) | What are you doing here? |
|---|---|---|
| Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) | About 15 minutes | They are asked to memorize some words and say them, to identify pictures, and to draw a shape on a piece of paper. |
| Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) | About 10 minutes | They ask you to tell them the day and date, ask them to count backwards, and ask them to identify the objects in the room. |
| Mini-Cog | About 3-5 minutes | This is the shortest test. You have to remember and say 3 words and draw a picture of a clock. |
Remember, these tests do not measure your intelligence or education. They only measure the efficiency of certain brain functions.
What happens after the results come in?
If the test results show that your cognitive ability is not at the normal level, your doctor will order further tests to find out the exact cause. This may include blood tests and scans.
There is something very important that we all need to know here.
The good news is that sometimes the cause of this memory loss can be a completely treatable condition .
For example:
- If it is a thyroid disease, taking medication for it will help your memory return to normal.
- If you are deficient in a vitamin, taking that vitamin will solve the problem.
- If a medicine has side effects, the doctor will change the medicine.
Even if the cause is a condition like dementia that cannot be cured, early detection can go a long way in helping you manage its effects, get the support you need, and make life easier. Your doctor can refer you to a specialist and inform you about rehabilitation services and support groups that can help you.
Take-Home Message
- Cognitive tests are simple 'checkups' that measure your brain's thinking and memory abilities.
- If you're constantly forgetting things or having trouble speaking, don't ignore it and talk to your doctor. He or she can determine whether it's normal with aging or not.
- This test does not tell you exactly what the disease is, but it does provide an important clue as to whether further investigation is needed.
- Not all causes of memory loss are incurable diseases like dementia. There are also treatable causes like vitamin deficiencies and thyroid disease.
- If you have even the slightest doubt or fear about your memory, never be afraid to talk to a doctor about it.
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