As in so many other ailments, Alzheimer’sthe dementia and other cognitive impairment diseases, early detection is essential. To do this, it is best to turn to a professional, but there are evidence that can give us clues.
One of them is a simple drawing. According to the doctor Jesus Ramirez-Bermúdeza Mexican neurologist who researches cognitive impairment, ‘the clock test’ is an effective method for identifying dementia.
RamÃrez-Bermúdez described it as “one of the easiest and most economical ways” to identify patients with neurological conditionsincluding dementia.
The test simply involves asking someone to draw a clock face on a blank sheet of paper. They must draw all the numbers from one to twelve and then set the hands to a specific time, for example, 11:10 a.m.
The task relies on the patient remembering what a clock face looks like, a skill known as executive function, which involves how we plan, organize and complete tasks. The executive function It is one of the cognitive skills that first begins to fail when dementia develops.
A crooked circle and incorrectly placed numbers on this clock could indicate early signs of the disease. The test is graded based on pointsand one point is awarded for each of the following criteria: for how well the participant draws the circle of the clock, putting the numbers in the correct place, drawing two hands on the clock, and pointing the hands at the correct time.
If the patient manages to draw a clock correctly, “practically excludes” dementia because the task requires a wide range of cognitive skills.
If the person has difficulty drawing the clock correctly, they should seek advice from a family doctor.