Cognitive Screening

Health Professions Strategy & Practice (HPSP)

Recommended Cognitive Screening Tools

Diagram: Recommended Cognitive Screening Tools

Cognitive Screening Resources

Copyright permission has been obtained for the cognitive screening tools identified below, for their use by healthcare providers in Alberta.

Alberta Health Services (AHS) staff and physicians require accessible, evidence-based methods for cognitive screening, including a range of tools that are clinically appropriate for use within diverse patient populations and characteristics.

See below for AHS’s suite of screening tools and resources. These tools are widely used across AHS, integrated within Connect Care, and support clinically appropriate cognitive screening practices.

For more information see frequently asked questions or practice.consultation@ahs.ca.

Note: This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

Webinar Series

The purpose of the webinar series is to provide frontline clinicians with further understanding of how the cognitive screening tools can be applied in practice. Each webinar will provide an overview of the tool, including clinical utility, administration and interpretation of scores.

Cognitive Screening – Competencies, Clinical Appropriate Use, & Professional Responsibility
Dr. Stewart Longman, Rehabilitation Psychologist
Watch session.

SCIP (Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry)
Dr. Scot Purdon, Clinical Neuropsychologist
Watch session.

ACE III (Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination)
Dr. Stewart Longman, Rehabilitation Psychologist
Watch session.

RUDAS (Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale)
Dr. Christine Knight, Neuropsychologist
Watch session.

CogLog (Cognitive Log)
Dr. Reno Gandhi, Neuropsychologist
Watch session.

Oxford (Oxford Cognitive Screen)
Kevin Lindland, Professional Practice Leader, Speech-language Pathology (Calgary Zone)
Watch session.

Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination-III (ACE-III)

The ACE-III is a cognitive screen scored out of 100 points, recommended for use in patients over 50 with suspected dementia.

The Cognitive Log (Cog-Log)

The Cog-Log was designed as a bedside screen of general cognition for clients with traumatic brain injury. Client must have functional expressive language.

Oxford Cognitive Screen (OCS)

The Oxford Cognitive Screen was chosen for its validity as a stroke-specific cognitive screening that is aphasia and neglect friendly.

* Please email practice.consultation@ahs.ca to request copies.

The Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS)

The RUDAS is a six item, 30 point screen for dementia designed to minimize the effects of cultural learning and language diversity.

Screen for Cognitive Impairment in Psychiatry (SCIP)

The SCIP was designed for rapid and objective screening of cognitive impairments commonly observed in psychotic and affective disorders. For more information or copies of the test, AHS staff can search "Cognitve Screening" on Insite. Non-AHS staff please email practice.consultation@ahs.ca.

Saint Louis University Mental Status Exam (SLUMS)

The SLUMS is an 11 item, 30 point screen developed to screen for dementia and is sensitive to Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)

Copies of Score Forms and additional resources available on the Developer’s website.