SLUMS test

LimitedTime

I just took the SLUMS test and got a 26 - Mild Cognitive Decline. Does that automatically lead to dementia or is it just normal aging?

Quilting brings calm

It leads to dementia SOME of the time. A certain percentage of people with mild cognitive decline slip into dementia every year. However the average time a person is in mild cognitive decline is 7 years, with many people staying at that level twice that, or longer.

However a score of 26 is almost normal, and you may have just had a bad day. Ask your doctor if you can start on one of the medications that slow symptoms and start doing things that are recommended to keep your brain and body active.

Also start talking with your loved ones about things like power of attorney ( both legal and medical) for the future and visit a CELA kawyer to talk through financial options for future care. Set up a will if you haven’t already and make your wishes known regarding a DNR or not.

NotDeadYet2023

I had never heard this called a SLUMS test, kinda' a catchy name, huh? I've had many of these. Better to me than four hours of neuropsychology testing. 26 isn't too bad IMHO. I just have recently received my AD diagnosis. Phew. God bless you and yours.

Iris L.

Tests such as the SLUMS are screening tests, not diagnostic tests. An extensive neurocognitive testing can determine if a person has dementia. Further testing is necessary to determine the cause, if it could be due to a medical causes which would be a dementia mimic. Further testing is needed to determine the type if dementia, either Alzheimer's or FTD or Lewy Body or vascular or mixed or another type.

A SLUMS score of 26 can fall in the range of normal. I agree with QBC, now is a good time to make preparations and to try to maintain your status.

Iris

LizLorenD

Also, depending on your age, the slums test may not be fully verified (in terms of what the results point to) - it's been tested/verified on people over 60 I believe. After a couple years of my being concerned (I'm 50) about word finding and short term memory (and the fact that my mom and 2 great aunts had AD - I was mom's caregiver) I finally got my primary care to do a "cognitive assessment" at least as a baseline, instead of writing things off as stress/menopause etc. She gave me the slums test last Friday. I scored a 20 - only remembered 2 of 5 words, less than 15 animals, screwed up the clock and didn't remember the name of the woman in the story at the end. 20 = dementia - Of course I'm terrified and my doc has referred for MRI and neurology. At the same time, I definitely do not have dementia - I work at an executive level job and while I struggle with word finding and short term memory, have been able to find work arounds. In typical conversation, no one (including my doc) would believe I have any impairment - which is why it kept getting written off. It's enough to make me very very nervous considering my family history - but I wouldn't take a few points here or there as the gospel, especially if you are not the age it's verified for. I know this is horrible, but part of me is hoping for mini strokes or a benign brain tumor that can be easily removed. Those are needed rule outs, esp at a younger age. Praying that I'm not on my way to early onset. I didn't know enough about mci symptoms to see it early in my mom - only hit home when she was buying 4 cartons of eggs because she forgot she already had some at home. She was able to "mask" it a ton because of hi relational ability - and strong language skills even with occasional challenges. But even at the right age - the slums test is not diagnostic. I hope someone has referred for imaging and to a neurologist?

Iris L.

Welcome, Liz. Are you and your doctors searching for dementia mimics? Have you had a medical examination, blood tests, a sleep study and assessment of your medications? Please keep us updated on how you are doing.

Iris

LizLorenD

thank you so much, Iris. I have an mri next week and have been referred to a neurologist at OHSU. Thyroid and all labs good from basic physical last week (the same day I took the slums). Not sure whether to hope the mri shows something or nothing. Good news is the neuro dept at OHSU is attached to their aging and Alzheimer’s center. I feel like they will ensure I do all the testing before making any assumptions (we shall see) - and if things do end up pointing to MCI/AD they’ll prob want to do even more tests to see if I’m a fit for a study. I am already ADHD and struggle with anxiety and occasional depression - but none of those are new. I’m sure hoping it’s a clear mimic that can be treated or at least there are options to keep from getting worse. I will keep you all posted. Thank you for caring ❤️ I’m single and fam is a plane ride away- so getting through this with a couple of amazing friends but it’s hard for people to understand the fear. Esp having been a caregiver. I saw it ALL with my mom for 10 years and the thought of putting that kind of support on family or friends terrifies me.

LizLorenD

also will have them review meds but nothing new in years. Sleep study a few years ago (just the at home kind) was negative for sleep apnea

Iris L.

Liz, please be aware that anxiety and depression can be dementia mimics. In fact if your neurocognitive testing indicates major depression, the first option should be aggressive treatment of depression with appropriate antidepressants and appropriate psychotherapy for a minimum of six to eight weeks to assess response.

Being a caregiver can impact cognition and memory. Detailed neurocognitive testing will show where your deficits and strengths are, and will indicate what type of therapy or approach to take. Are you getting therapy or rehabilitation for ADHD?

One of our emeritus members, Alan in Colorado, who was himself a psychologist, would warn us that stress and anxiety can reduce our cognition by HALF! This made such an impression on me that I worked hard to reduce my stress. Do you have stress reducing techniques?

Disclosing cognitive problems is a serious matter. My opinion is to disclose only to those who have a need to know. People with a cognitive issue are VULNERABLE to being taken advantage of and being scammed. This can happen even within families or by people who were considered to be friends. Look for trustworthy people to be in your life. I too have no close family. I disclose to no one. I have had bad experiences in disclosing. On the other hand, other members have had better experiences in disclosing.

The members here have quite a lot of experience and knowledge and I have learned much from them. Please keep posting when you have questions or comments.

Iris