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› Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination (M-ACE) the recommended cognitive screening tool
22 November 2021
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For just over a year now, the M-ACE (Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination) has been the recommended cognitive screening tool in cases where dementia is suspected. This reminder is because its use throughout health in New Zealand is not as widespread as had originally been hoped. The M-ACE has been available on HealthPathways since September 2020 and is accompanied by a guidance document.
A kaupapa Māori Assessment of Neuropsychological Abilities (MANA) tool is being developed that will be integrated into the country's cognitive impairment HealthPathways alongside the M-ACE. The anticipated launch of the MANA instrument is in 2022.
The recommendation that the M-ACE should be the default diagnostic tool of choice was endorsed by the Ministry of Health, the DHB Health of Older People Steering Group and the Cognitive Impairment Assessment Review working group - convened by the New Zealand Dementia Foundation. The M-ACE was chosen for three main reasons:
1. Time: The M-ACE typically takes less than five minutes to complete. 2. Ease of use: The M-ACE is simple, familiar and easy to use. 3. Ease of transition: The M-ACE is free and doesn’t require markedly different testing techniques. The M-ACE forms only part of the process of diagnosing dementia. It is a brief cognitive screening test that evaluates four main cognitive ‘domains’ (orientation, memory, language and visuospatial function) with a maximum score of 30 points. Online training for M-ACE is available on the regional DHB (healthLearn) and Ministry of Health (LearnOnline) learning platforms. The training includes videos and takes about 30 minutes to complete. For more information, visit the New Zealand Dementia Foundation website.
