AD8

AD8, or the eight-item informant dementia screen, is a brief screening tool used to identify potential cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults. It was developed by researchers led by Kenneth Galvin in the early 2000s and is designed to be completed by an informant who knows the patient well, such as a family member or caregiver.

The instrument consists of eight questions about changes in the individual’s memory, problem-solving abilities, daily functioning, and behavior over time. It focuses on changes in everyday functioning rather than direct testing of cognitive tasks. Administration is rapid, typically taking about 2–3 minutes, and it can be used in clinical settings or during telehealth visits.

Scoring and interpretation vary slightly by version, but responses are generally recorded as yes/no, with some formats including options like “unsure” or “don’t know.” The total score ranges from 0 to 8, with higher scores indicating greater reported change. A commonly used cut-off is 2 or more, which suggests possible cognitive impairment, while higher scores may correlate with a greater likelihood of dementia; however, interpretation should be integrated with other clinical information and assessments.

Use and validity: The AD8 is widely adopted in primary care and specialty clinics as a quick screen to prompt further evaluation. It has been validated in diverse populations and translated into multiple languages, and both informant-rated and, in some settings, self-rated variants exist. Limitations include dependence on the informant’s observations and potential cultural, educational, or emotional biases, so it is best used alongside comprehensive assessments.