Routine cognitive screening in a neurology practice

Background: Alzheimer disease is one of the most prevalent and costly neurologic disorders. American Academy of Neurology guidelines call for diagnosis and treatment when dementia is present, but provide no specific instruction relating to cognitive screening. Methods: Our center piloted a cognitive screening initiative using the Mini-Cog, which was administered to all neurology patients aged ≥70 years without a history of a cognitive disorder. Results: There was a 37.4% screen positive rate on the Mini-Cog. The percentage of patients with subjective memory complaints did not differ between patients screening positive vs negative on the Mini-Cog. Prospective analysis over an 18-month postscreening period showed that individuals screening positive for cognitive impairment were 10 times more likely to have follow-up cognitive assessment by the provider (p < 0.0001), almost 3 times more likely to be referred for neuropsychological testing (p 0.003), and 3 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of cognitive impairment or dementia (p < 0.0001) compared to those screening negative. Diagnosis of a cognitive disorder, referral to a cognitive specialty clinician, and prescription of cognitive-enhancing medications were no more frequent than was observed in a randomized trial of screening in primary care, and evidence of neurologists' actions relevant to cognitive impairment was found in a minority of individuals screening positive. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to better understand factors influencing neurologist actions in the evaluation and treatment of cognitive impairment.