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Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT-10)
Ten-item bedside screen for cognitive impairment in older adults.
Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT-10)
Correctly states age
Correctly states time to the nearest hour
Recalls a test address (e.g. '42 West Street') given earlier in the test
Correctly states the current year
Correctly names the hospital or place
Recognises two people present (e.g. doctor, nurse)
Correctly states date of birth
Correctly states the year a well-known historical event occurred (e.g. start of World War 1)
Correctly names the current head of state/monarch
Counts backwards from 20 to 1 without error
Result0/10
Score <=6/10 suggests cognitive impairment warranting further assessment.
- AMT-10 score
- 0/10
When to use
- Rapid bedside screening for cognitive impairment in older or acutely unwell patients, e.g. on hospital admission.
Formula
One point for each of 10 items answered correctly (age, time to nearest hour, test address recall, year, place, recognition of two people, date of birth, a historical date, head of state, counting backwards 20 to 1). Score <=6/10 suggests impairment.
Pearls and pitfalls
- A shorter 4-item version (AMT-4) performs similarly and is quicker to administer.
- Not diagnostic of dementia or delirium on its own; abnormal scores need further evaluation.
References
- Hodgkinson HM. Age Ageing. 1972;1(4):233-238.