Exploring the World of Cognitive Testing in Sharbot Lake

Kelli McRobert | Nov 20, 2024

As the years go by and memories blur, cognitive testing becomes ever more compelling. Eager to delve into this field, I connected with Heather Stinson, the new Occupational Therapist at Sharbot Lake Family Health Team, to arrange a cognitive test. These quick and simple tests offer a snapshot of brain function, highlighting potential cognitive issues and paving the way for further, more detailed assessments if necessary. While not diagnostic tools for specific diseases, cognitive tests are invaluable in maintaining mental sharpness and identifying early signs of cognitive decline.

Cognition, the brain’s remarkable ability to process sensory information, is at the heart of our intellectual activities. It’s the powerhouse behind our thinking, learning, language comprehension, memory, attention, reasoning, decision-making, and judgment. Essentially, our brain is the command center for all thought processes.

As I stepped into the room Heather greeted me with a reassuring smile, her calm demeanor instantly put me at ease as she began with some preliminary health screening questions to understand my concerns, medications, and any recent issues. She also explained the important role the hippocampus played in information processing and how it was part of my limbic system which regulates emotions and behaviours. Essentially this small seahorse-shaped part of the brain is vital to our mental abilities.

She then began to guide me through basic cognitive screening tests that check various brain functions. Draw a clock, recreate a box, and work through a sequential problem with a pencil in hand.

Each test is designed to evaluate different aspects of cognition:

• Knowledge of Time, Place, and Person: I was asked the current date, day, and year.
• Attention and Short-Term Learning: I had to recall a short list of items.
• Ability to Understand the Relationships Between Objects: I needed to know how two items are similar.
• Perform Mathematical Functions: I was asked to subtract a certain number from a higher number and continue until told to stop.
• Ability to Use Language: I was asked to name specific objects.

The three most common cognitive screening tests as noted by the Cleveland Clinic are

• Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA): This involves memorizing a short list of words, naming objects shown in pictures, copying shapes, and performing other tasks. This series takes about 15 minutes to complete;
• Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE): This entails counting backward, identifying objects in the room, and stating the date and other common, well-known facts. This takes about 10 minutes; and
• Mini-Cog: This test includes memorizing and recalling a three-word list of unrelated words and drawing a circle clock — adding all time points, then drawing hands to show a specific time. This series is the shortest (under three minutes) and easiest to complete.

These tests provide a snapshot of the brain’s functionality, highlighting the importance of cognitive screening in maintaining mental acuity and identifying potential issues early on. Heather’s expertise and the insights gained from these activities underscored the value of regular cognitive assessments in preserving our mental sharpness as we age.

Some symptoms of mild cognitive impairment include: repeating questions; trouble coming up with the right words; frequently misplacing items; forgetting appointments or events; losing focus; and trouble understanding written or verbal information.

If you are interested in doing your own cognitive ability test, before a formal assessment, the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Exam (SAGE) can be found online through Dementia Care Central and should be discussed with your family or medical professionals to interpret the test results.

Symptoms of dementia can start around age 60, however, this is also the age at which normal aging takes place and it is important to differentiate between the two through early testing and professional guidance. Early interventions for dementia are the most effective tools to treat the disease. While there is no cure for dementia, and it is a progressive disease, there are pharmaceutical, therapeutic, and alternative treatments that can help alleviate and manage the symptoms. The earlier the disease is identified the better.

With my tests completed, and my results reviewed, I now have a baseline and a way forward to support and enhance the health of my hippocampus including: Exercise Regularly -can promote the growth of new neurons; learn new things - helps to build and strengthen neural pathways; eat a healthy diet -fish (Omega 3), berries (anti-oxidants), and leafy greens to support brain health; get enough sleep -7-9 hours per night; practice mindfulness and meditation - this reduces stress and promotes new growth of neurons; stay socially active -maintain strong social relationships; manage stress - chronic stress can negatively impact your hippocampus; and spend time in nature - helps to reduce stress, and promotes overall mental well-being.

For more information on this and other assessments, you can check out the following websites:

Canadian Geriatrics Society: https://www.canadiangeriatrics.ca

Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH): https://www.camh.ca

Sharbot Lake Family Health Team: Https://www.sharbotlakefht.com