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How Accurate Is MemTrax Test For Dementia?
Question: Whats your opinion on memtrax the memory assesment designed by dr wesson ashford? Is it an accurate dementia test?
Brief Answer:
Only self screening
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I appreciate your diligence in searching for different ways to screen for health issues.
That test is a test oriented mostly towards visual memory, hence the right side of your brain. It is in no way sufficient to test for dementia as it says nothing on other cognitive functions such as language, judgement etc.
Compared to other neuropsychological tests I would say it's inferior, it is designed due to the advantage of being self administered. Apart from that advantage though I would say there are better tests, it is simply a screening test to self evaluate whether one needs more appropriate tests.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Only self screening
Detailed Answer:
I read your question carefully and I appreciate your diligence in searching for different ways to screen for health issues.
That test is a test oriented mostly towards visual memory, hence the right side of your brain. It is in no way sufficient to test for dementia as it says nothing on other cognitive functions such as language, judgement etc.
Compared to other neuropsychological tests I would say it's inferior, it is designed due to the advantage of being self administered. Apart from that advantage though I would say there are better tests, it is simply a screening test to self evaluate whether one needs more appropriate tests.
I remain at your disposal for further questions.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ok cool. Im a young man (22) and im worried that I am getting mci/dementia. I scored 100% on this test so i was thinking that i may not bother getting further testing done. What is your opinion on this?
Brief Answer:
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the feedback on your score.
I do not really see any reason to have any further testing. Even without that test, dementia at your age would be an exceptional finding, only in the setting of some other condition where dementia would be only part of many other symptoms.
So the fact that you took 100% only reinforces that, unless you have some specific reason for thinking you have MCI/dementia, no further testing is necessary.
Read below.
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the feedback on your score.
I do not really see any reason to have any further testing. Even without that test, dementia at your age would be an exceptional finding, only in the setting of some other condition where dementia would be only part of many other symptoms.
So the fact that you took 100% only reinforces that, unless you have some specific reason for thinking you have MCI/dementia, no further testing is necessary.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The reason I was worried was that I have trouble learning new words or names. I actually had my friend (who's a psychologist) give me the rey complex figure copy test and rey auditory verbal learning test. On the ray auditory test I scored really highly (top 90% I think) and on the figure copy I scored low (bottom 5%). Is it strange that I can score highly in some tests and not others? Is this criteria for mci?
Brief Answer:
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thank you for that additional feedback.
One can score higher in some fields than in others, individuals are different to each other, with their strengths and weaknesses.
Also I am not sure I can trust that score as it happens to test the same domain the Memtrax and Corsi block tapping test evaluate, so since you did well in those I am more inclined to think the bad score on the rey complex figure copy test was due to performance anxiety or poor concentration.
Again I don't think you have memory impairment, the simple fact of you knowing your way around these tests makes cognitive impairment unlikely, in addition to the age think I already mentioned.
I hope to have been of help.
Read below
Detailed Answer:
Hello again and thank you for that additional feedback.
One can score higher in some fields than in others, individuals are different to each other, with their strengths and weaknesses.
Also I am not sure I can trust that score as it happens to test the same domain the Memtrax and Corsi block tapping test evaluate, so since you did well in those I am more inclined to think the bad score on the rey complex figure copy test was due to performance anxiety or poor concentration.
Again I don't think you have memory impairment, the simple fact of you knowing your way around these tests makes cognitive impairment unlikely, in addition to the age think I already mentioned.
I hope to have been of help.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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