Neuroscientist Develops a Quick-Assess Tool for Dementia

Developed by James E. Galvin, MD, MPH, the Quick Dementia Rating System (QDRS) uses an evidence-based method to accurately identify and stage patients with dementia. QDRS has applications for use in clinical practice, to prequalify patients in clinical trials, prevention studies, community surveys and biomarker research.

The existing process to evaluate individuals is long and laborious, while QDRS has the advantage of being conducted in a few minutes. "After extensive testing and evaluation of the Quick Dementia Rating System, we have found it to be as effective as the gold standard used today to screen for the five stages of dementia," said Dr Galvin. "This new tool gives you a lot of power to see the same results as a full screening in a fraction of the time it takes for a complete screening." The findings with QDRS have been published in the journal Alzheimer's and Dementia.

The evaluation includes a 10-item questionnaire that can be completed by a caregiver, friend, or family member, and is short enough to be viewed as a single screenshot, maximizing its clinical utility. Scores range from 0 to 30 with higher scores representing greater cognitive impairment. The questionnaire covers: 1) memory and recall; 2) orientation; 3) decision-making and problem-solving abilities; 4) activities outside the home; 5) function at home and hobbies; 6) toileting and personal hygiene; 7) behavior and personality changes; 8) language and communication abilities; 9) mood; and 10) attention and concentration.

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