Purpose of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The main purpose of the Alzheimer’s Quick Screen (AQS) tool is the brief and effective assessment of the ability for automatization and the speed of processing visuosemantic stimuli, as well as the functioning of working memory and the cognitive function of the parietal lobe. It is intended for healthcare professionals with minimal training and is mainly used for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment and the early detection of Alzheimer’s-type dementia in older adults. At the same time, it contributes to the differential diagnosis between cognitively healthy individuals and those with neurodegenerative disorders. The tool has been widely applied in both international and Greek studies, while its use in clinical and research settings makes it a quick and reliable option for the initial assessment of cognitive decline.

Analysis of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The Alzheimer’s Quick Screen (AQS) tool was developed by Wiig, Nielsen, Minthon, and Warkentin in 2002 and evolved with the scientific contribution of Greek researchers such as M. Tsolaki and F. Tsantali. It is a short test lasting 3 to 5 minutes, based on the presentation of three consecutive cards. The first card involves color naming, the second shape naming, and the third sequential naming of both colors and shapes. The procedure utilizes visual and semantic recognition to detect disorders in short-term memory, information processing speed, and parietal lobe function. The use of the test does not require specialized training, which makes it particularly convenient in clinical settings.

Scoring of the Questions

The scoring of the tool is based exclusively on the response time of the examinee, which is recorded in seconds for each card. Special emphasis is placed on the third card, which includes combined naming of colors and shapes, as it is the most cognitively demanding. In the Greek sample, the cut-off point has been set at 100 seconds for the third card. Performance is evaluated based on the total response time, where a shorter time indicates better cognitive functioning and faster information processing.

Statistical Analysis

The test values are derived from the response time and may vary depending on the sample. The minimum time has been observed to range from about 30 to 40 seconds, while the maximum time depends on the severity of cognitive decline. For the third card, the predetermined cut-off point of 100 seconds is the distinguishing marker between normal and pathological performance. For example, if the examinee completes the third card in less than 100 seconds, this is considered an indication of normal cognitive functioning. Conversely, a time greater than 100 seconds suggests possible cognitive dysfunction, such as in the case of Alzheimer’s-type dementia.

Validity of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The validity of the AQS is demonstrated as particularly high, as recorded in data from the Greek sample evaluated in studies by Tsolaki and her collaborators. The sensitivity for diagnosing Alzheimer’s patients reaches 100%, while the specificity for distinguishing cognitively healthy individuals reaches 96.6%. Compared with the classical MMSE tool (Mini Mental State Examination), the AQS shows high sensitivity at 93.3%, while its specificity in this comparison reaches 69%. These data highlight the AQS as a fast, reliable, and diagnostically useful tool, particularly in cases of early dementia.

Reliability of the Questionnaire (Scale)

The reliability of the Alzheimer’s Quick Screen tool is documented by the consistent reproducibility of its results across multiple applications. International and Greek literature confirm that the tool has a high index of repeatability as well as internal consistency, making it suitable for both clinical use and research applications.

References

Greek References
Tsolaki, M., Tsantali, F., Kioseoglou, L., Minthon, L., Wiig, E., Nielsen, P., Londos, E., & Warkentin, S. (2005, March 31 – April 3). The diagnosis of parietal lobe dysfunction in 3 minutes. 4th Panhellenic Interdisciplinary Conference on Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders, Thessaloniki.
Foreign References
Nielsen, N. P., Wiig, E. H., Warkentin, S., & Minthon, L. (2004). Clinical utility of colour-form naming in Alzheimer’s disease: Preliminary evidence. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 99, 1201–1204.
Wiig, E. H., Nielsen, N. P., Minthon, L., & Warkentin, S. (2002). Alzheimer’s Quick Test: Assessment of parietal function. San Antonio, TX: Psychological Corporation.
Tsolaki, M., Tsantali, E., Kiosseoglou, C., Minthon, L., Wiig, E. H., Nielsen, N. P., Londos, E., Erikson, C., & Warkentin, S. (in press). The ACT as a Useful Short Screening Test for Dementia: Validation Results from Two European Countries.