Merkfahigkeit

investigation of memory from studying retention of an increasingly long series of rote elements

Tests by domain Hodges

Orientation--standard 5-10 items are not specific.  One author (Hodges) suggests adding time of day as even mildly demented will show confusion  of time of day esp. AM for PM

Language-- Aspects to cover in screening are fluency in conversation, and level of comprehension (oral and written).  Also, naming, repetition, reading and writing.  If abnormal , tests should be supplemented by additional testing.

Spatial abilities-- Draw a clock or copy Necker cube is more sensitive than the interlocking pentagons of the MMSE.  (Add so is CFT).

Perception-- authors suggest testing telling time from analog clock faces.

Frontal lobe functions-- Proverbs are positive in nondemented noneducated patients.  Suggests Luria's Three Hand Test.  Notes localization not specific could also be subcortical.  I also use F,A,S test routinely.

Psychomotor speed-  easy screening test-- ask the patient to write alphabet as quickly as possible. Score shold be less than 20 seconds. 

Motor tests from Lezak second edition

Finger Oscillation Test (finger tapping). p 529
Each hand makes 5 ten second trials, and the score is the average for the five trials for each hand.  Men perform faster than women in all age groups. 

Grooved pegboard-- is part of the Wisconsin Neuropsychological Test Battery and the Lafayette Clinical Repeatable Neuropsychological Test Batter (p 532).  Its sensitive for following improvement after stroke.  Can use preferred hand, opposite hand or both hands, norms not well established, key point is it can be used to look at improvement with intervention.