Name: Try Passing this Alzheimer's Screening Test
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Two women enrolled in a long-running study of the factors that affect Alzheimer's take a test in which they have to memorize shapes and draw them.

You have 10 seconds to memorize six shapes.

Try Passing this Alzheimer's Screening Test

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Two women enrolled in a long-running study of factors that affect Alzheimer's take a test in which they have to memorize shapes and draw them.

You have 10 seconds to memorize six shapes.

Body & Brain

Try Passing this Alzheimer's Screening TestPublished: April 22, 2022DIANE: I’m going to show you a sheet that has six figures on it, and I want you to study the figures so that you can remember as many of them as possible. You’ll have 10 seconds to study the entire display.KIMBERLY: When I take it away, that’s when you start drawing.DIANE: Now draw as many of the figures as you can.SIGRID: Can’t do it.DIANE: All right.Well, that was fine. I’d like to see whether you can remember more, if I give you another chance.KAREN: That’s all I could think of.KIMBERLY: Try not to forget this display, because I may ask you about the figures again later.KAREN: Okay.KIMBERLY: Okay.DIANE: I’ll present the display again for 10 seconds. Try to remember as many of the figures as you can this time, including the ones you remember in your last attempt.Now draw as many of the figures as you can.SIGRID: I was going to really remember that one, but I don’t.DIANE: Okay. That was fine.SIGRID: When you took it, did you feel like you did better two years ago? I mean do you feel…DAVID: Oh, I’m sure I did better.SIGRID: You did. So, you feel like you’re failing a little bit, too?DAVID: Absolutely.SIGRID: Absolutely.I always feel badly about myself, when I do this.DAVID: Yeah.SIGRID: ’Cause I think it’s kind of startling to really have to face your memory gaps and what that means.DAVID: Yeah, it is. It’s hard to take. It’s hard to take.SIGRID: Well, I guess my question to you…DAVID: And I realized, I summed it up…SIGRID: My question to you is this: Did you at any point really feel taken aback or shaken?DAVID: Today?SIGRID: Yes.DAVID: No.SIGRID: No. See? I did, so, there’s a message in that.DAVID: Yeah.SIGRID: Right?DAVID: Yeah. Well I know, I know that you’re worried. I know.

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Try Passing this Alzheimer's Screening Test

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Support Provided By

Explore More

Determined: Fighting Alzheimer's

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Depression Can Affect Memory—and Mirror Signs of Alzheimer's