The five-items memory screen-extended variant: A tool for assessing memory.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The detection of memory impairment is an important part of dementia screening. However, the scope of memory measures in current screening batteries is limited. There is a need for a short yet sensitive instrument for early detection of memory impairment that could serve as a complement to existing globally oriented screening tests, for example, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). To that end, the current study investigates the sensitivity and psychometric properties of the memory screening instrument The Five-Items Memory Screen -Extended Variant (FIMS-XV). METHODS: Hundred and forty-five participants included in the Gothenburg Mild Cognitive Impairment Study-27 patients with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), 73 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and 45 with mild dementia-underwent cognitive screening including the MMSE and FIMS-XV. Ninety participants also underwent extensive neuropsychological testing. RESULTS: The FIMS-XV showed high internal consistency and strong correlations with established neuropsychological memory tests. Both the FIMS-XVdelayed recall score and the FIMS-XV total score differentiated mild dementia patients from patients with SCI and MCI. CONCLUSIONS: The FIMS-XV shows promise as a sensitive tool for screening for memory impairment in all putative phases of dementia.

Performance and complications of lumbar puncture in memory clinics: Results of the multicenter lumbar puncture feasibility study.

INTRODUCTION: Lumbar puncture (LP) is increasingly performed in memory clinics. We investigated patient-acceptance of LP, incidence of and risk factors for post-LP complications in memory clinic populations. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled 3868 patients (50% women, age 66 ± 11 years, mini mental state examination 25 ± 5) at 23 memory clinics. We used logistic regression analysis using generalized estimated equations to investigate risk factors for post-LP complications, such as typical postlumbar puncture headache (PLPH) and back pain. RESULTS: A total of 1065 patients (31%) reported post-LP complaints; 589 patients (17%) reported back pain, 649 (19%) headache, of which 296 (9%) reported typical PLPH. Only few patients needed medical intervention: 11 (0.3%) received a blood patch, 23 (0.7%) were hospitalized. The most important risk factor for PLPH was medical history of headache. An atraumatic needle and age >65 years were preventive. Gender, rest after LP, or volume of cerebrospinal fluid had no effect. DISCUSSIONS: The overall risk of complications is relatively low. If risk factors shown in this study are taken into account, LPs can be safely performed in memory clinics.