Case 11: Amnestic Dementia Syndrome (MCI Index = 4)

This 41-year-old college-educated former professional football player retired before the age of 30 due to multiple knee injuries.  His wife requested evaluation of her husband 15 years later because of her concerns that he might have chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) related to innumerable concussions sustained during his football career.  Chronic multi-focal pain, anxiety and sleep disturbance, as well as alcohol and marijuana dependence, were noted at the time of his assessment.

Orientation: 
A score of 9 out of 12 indicates either mild confusion or mild memory impairment that should be further evaluated.
Attention: 
A score of 5 out of 8 indicates impaired attention. The patient may be in a confusional state or delirium. Problems with attention can be caused by one or more of the factors listed on page one of the Cognistat test booklet. It is important to rule out possible medication side effects. Care should be taken in interpreting low scores in other ability areas when attention is impaired.
Language: 
These Language scores fall within the average range.
Constructions: 
A score of 5 out of 6 falls within the average range.
Memory: 
A score of 7 out of 12 Indicates significant memory impairment. It is important to rule out treatable causes of memory problems and/or more general cognitive decline. This patient needs to be further evaluated both medically and cognitively.
Summary: 
This patient has specific areas of impairment: Orientation, Attention, Memory, Judgement.
MCI Index: 
The MCI Index is 4, which raise the question of an Amnestic Dementia Syndrome and is likely to impact occupational and social functioning. This patient should be further evaluated for treatable causes of cognitive decline.