With that in mind, today the Daily Mail published something called the Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test (6CIT). It does seem a good idea to check on your cognition, because while there have been advancements toward screening for dementia and reducing symptoms or curing it, that doesn’t stop the worry. Besides, the cure isn’t here yet.
The Six Item Cognitive Impairment Test is a simple test developed in 1983 in the U.S. and augmented by a U.K. physician, Dr. Patrick Brooke. It is designed to be given to you by someone but if no one is around (and you’re impatient!) you can give it to yourself.
Note that from the age of 50 or so humans tend to lose cognitive abilities to some degree, and our brains in fact start getting smaller around that age (though there are things you can do about it). So if you’re in the post-50 age range and don’t get a perfect score don’t be concerned; you don’t have to get zero for a good result.
The scoring is easy and the test only takes a few minutes:
1. What year it it?
(score 0 if you answer correctly, 4 if incorrect )
2. What month is it?
(correct: 0; incorrect: 3
Name and Address: Here you are to be given a name and address and later on you will be asked to repeat it. So here’s one: Debbie Smith, 234 Larch Road, Newtown, California.
3. About what time is it (to within the nearest hour)?
(correct 0; incorrect 3)
4. Count backwards from 20 to 1.
(correct 0; error 2; more than one error, 4)
5. Say the months of the year in reverse order.
(correct 0; one error 2; two or more errors 4)
6. What is the name and address you were given earlier?
(correct: 0; one error: 2; two errors: 4; three errors: 6; four errors: 8; all wrong: 10)
Results of score:
0-7 No sign of memory problems.
8-9 There is some evidence of memory problems. Best to see your doctor.
10-28 High evidence of memory problems and you should see your doctor.
That’s it. Done.
If you have a concern or want to check the findings see your doctor.
