Having a cognitive assessment

Cognitive assessments are used to measure thinking abilities such as memory, language, reasoning and perception. This helps to build a picture of someone’s abilities over a range of skills, and allows researchers to monitor how they are changing over time. The simplest tests may just take 5 minutes, and a full cognitive assessment may take half an hour to two hours. Cognitive assessments have a role in many different types of research, such as trials of new treatments or studies to understand early changes that happen in dementia.

If you are having an assessment as part of your clinical diagnosis, your clinician will normally discuss the results with you. When assessments are done for research often you won’t get feedback as the tests are new and the researchers are only starting to learn what the results could mean.

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Who are we?

Alzheimer's Society is the leading support and research charity for people with dementia, their families and carers.

What is dementia?

The term 'dementia' is used to describe the symptoms that occur when the brain is affected by specific diseases and conditions. Symptoms of dementia include loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

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If you have concerns about Alzheimer's disease or about any other form of dementia, please contact the Alzheimer's Society National Dementia Helpline on 0300 222 1122.

Alzheimer's Society
Leading the fight against dementia