A Simple Test for Young-onset Dementia

A Simple Test for Young-onset Dementia

     Senior moments, experience in our 40’s, 50’s and beyond, may actually be an indicator of primary progressive aphasia. How many of us are challenged to identify photographs of famous faces? This lack of recall may be caused by cortical atrophy in particular brain areas.

     The Northwestern University Famous Faces (NUFFACE) Test has been used to test 30 patients with primary progressive aphasia and 27 controls free of dementia (mean age 62 years) to recognize and name famous faces like John F. Kennedy and Princess Diana. Those tested with primary progressive aphasia vs. the control group scored 79% vs. 97% for face recognition and 46% vs. 93% for face naming respectively.

     These outcomes indicate the usefulness of the NUFFACE test in the identification of individuals with young-set dementia. The test also demonstrates the difference between recognition and naming impairments.  Further testing will evaluate whether the NUFFACE Test will be able to assess other types of neurodegenerative syndromes.

Face Recognition Test May Predict Early Dementia
Published: Aug 12, 2013
By Cole Petrochko, Staff Writer, MedPage TodayReviewed by F. Perry Wilson, MD, MSCE; Instructor of Medicine, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and Dorothy Caputo, MA, BSN, RN, Nurse Planner
http://www.medpagetoday.com/reviewer.cfm?reviewerid=755

Relief to the underserved populations

Who am I?
With a Masters Degree in Training and Development and over 20 years experience as a dental hygienist and a dental hygiene educator, I have developed in-depth senior and special needs oral training programs that combine various learning methods to provide caregivers the opportunity to transfer new skills to their patients. Programs include oral care for patients with cognitive impairment, mental retardation, Down's syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy, and age-related issues. I founded a company in 2006 to help meet the needs of these individuals and care providers called SOFT Smiles: Specialized Oral Focused Training. My motto is "Good Oral Health for Life" ©

Why am I writing this blog?
Due to the documented need for improved access to care and provision of care to the underserved populations, I believe that more attention needs to be paid to making necessary changes to reduce this disparity. Cognitively impaired (dementia, Alzheimer’s disease), physically impaired (stroke, Parkinson’s disease, etc) and Special Patients (mental retardation, Down’s syndrome, cerebral palsy, autism, etc) are the focus of this blog. By writing this blog, I hope to hear from those of you who have personal experience with these population groups. What issues do you or someone you know have with access to care? How is research making a difference to these individuals, families, caregivers? Although I live in the world of academia, community service, patient care, as well as educating/training caregivers and families is my passion.