This simple clock-drawing test can detect dementia symptoms – Times of India
Dementia is a neurodegenerative disease that can deteriorate one’s quality of life. Starting – memory loss, confusion, and speech impairment. Over time it makes one lose control over their daily tasks that are mostly enjoyable.
Dementia is a common brain disorder that causes damage to the human brain cells and it is a condition characterized by memory loss and other cognitive impairments. While there is no complete cure for dementia, regular medication can prevent the condition from getting worse.
Like cancer, early detection of dementia is crucial and an accurate diagnosis can help. While dementia affects people above the age of 60, the symptoms might start at the age of 30, causing harm to the brain cells slowly. While brain tests are not taken that commonly, a simple at-home test – which experts call the “clock-drawing method” is a quick and effective screening tool to find if you have an early stage of dementia.
Dr Jesus Ramirez-Bermudez, a neuropsychiatrist at the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Mexico, took to X to share about this simple clock drawing test. He wrote, “Clock drawing. It remains one of the easiest and cheapest ways to identify patients with mental/behavioral disorders who require further neurological & neuropsychological workup.”
How to take the test
The test is conducted based on – How well the person drew the clock circle. Has the person included all the numbers? Are all the numbers drawn in the correct order on the clock face and in the correct place? Did they draw two hands on the clock? Does the hands on the clock say the correct time you asked them to draw?
According to the National Health Service, UK, if they pass all the questions and perform the clock test correctly, dementia can be ruled out.
Dementia is caused when nerve cells and their connections in the brain are lost. There are many types of dementia including Alzheimer’s disease and the symptoms depend on the area of the brain that’s damaged. Dementia can affect people differently.
