But a quick and simple screening tool may give people a better idea of the state of their cognitive functioning \u2014 and you can do it at home without any equipment.<\/p>\n
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Millions of people are diagnosed with dementia, but a three-move test could provide some insight to cognitive functioning. PR Image Factory \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n
While dementia is often associated with memory loss, confusion and trouble focusing, it can also impair motor skills<\/a>, making everyday tasks more difficult.<\/p>\n To check how well the frontal lobe is working, neurologist Dr. Adnan Husein shared a social media video<\/a> demonstrating \u201cthe quickest test for dementia,\u201d which involves three simple hand motions.<\/p>\n Known as the Luria Test<\/a> or Fist-Edge-Palm Test, patients are tasked with making three gestures with their hands.<\/p>\n First, they make a fist with one hand, placing it in the palm of the second hand. They then open the hand, placing the pinky side down on their opposite palm, like a karate chop.<\/p>\n Finally, they turn that hand facing down, patting their open palm of one hand on the other.<\/p>\n According to Husein, the motions test different parts of the brain, specifically \u201cmotor function, executive function and sequencing.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cFor some people, they can\u2019t do the movement smoothly,\u201d he explained in the video. \u201cThey sometimes perseverate on the same movement again and again, or they miss the sequence.\u201d<\/p>\n And studies have shown that over 50% of people with Alzheimer\u2019s<\/a> disease, the most common cause of dementia, struggle with the test.<\/p>\n Those with different types of dementia<\/a> also have difficulties completing the seemingly simple task, with Husein explaining that \u201calmost 70%\u201d of patients with frontal temporal dementia have trouble.<\/p>\n While the results of the test don\u2019t serve as a diagnosis for dementia \u2014 there is no single test that does that \u2014 it can tell whether someone may be having trouble cognitively and should see a specialist.<\/p>\n Healthcare providers can then use a series of screening tools to evaluate memory, attention, language and problem-solving skills.<\/p>\n Tests like the SAGE (Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination<\/a>) allow patients to test themselves for early cognitive impairment with questions involving counting, drawing, remembering and identifying images.<\/p>\n More tests are also being developed to determine the risk of dementia, such as blood tests that detect the p-tau217 protein<\/a> linked to amyloid plaques and tau tangles, two hallmark signs of Alzheimer\u2019s, well before symptoms appear.<\/p>\n Others, like the cardiac troponin test<\/a>, may be able to detect dementia risk up to 25 years before a diagnosis.<\/p>\n Blood tests are an up-and-coming method for identifying Alzheimer\u2019s. The\u00a0US Food and Drug Administration recently approved<\/a> new blood testing for people 55 and older experiencing symptoms like memory loss.<\/p>\n Early detection is key for improving quality of life, expanding treatment options and enabling better life planning.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t![\"A](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/neurologist-dr-ad-demonstrates-quick-138391876.jpg\")
Neurologist Dr. Adnan Husein shared the Luria Test that checks motor function, executive function and sequencing. @adnanmd \/ TikTok<\/p>\n