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A new tool for spotting dementia may better than a commonly used test at detecting mild cognitive impairment, researchers from Saint Louis University say.

It takes about seven minutes to administer The Saint Louis University Mental Status Examination (SLUMS). The test asks patients to perform tasks such as simple math calculations, naming animals and drawing the hands on a clock.

The standard test is the Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE). Researchers found that both tools detected dementia, but only SLUMS identified patients with mild cognitive problems.