The Mini-ACE is a medically recognised cognitive test for dementia patients. Find out more about the test and how it works…

What is Mini-ACE?

The term stands for Mini-Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination and is a medically recognised and accepted cognitive screening test.

 It is a shortened version of the ACE III, which is a widely adopted and validated tool currently used in memory clinics and dementia research around the world.

The Mini-ACE assesses five cognitive domains:

  • Attention
  • Memory
  • Verbal fluency
  • Language
  • Visuospatial abilities.

 On average, the test takes around five to 10 minutes to complete and has a maximum score of 30. Higher scores are an indication of better cognitive functioning.

 What is the purpose of Mini-ACE?

Cognitive screening might be necessary for a number of reasons, including:

  • To identify dementia
  • To detect early cognitive decline, such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) 
  • To differentiate between types of dementia, MCI, depression etc
  • To monitor disease progression.

No individual screening method should be used in isolation, as there isn’t a type of screening that does everything.

Mini-ACE is just one part of the process of determining a diagnosis. Formal cognitive assessment should be undertaken alongside full history, collateral history, mental state and physical examination, medication review, laboratory investigations and brain scans.

What are the limitations of Mini-ACE?

All types of screening have limitations as tests only cover selected areas of cognition. Other limitations include:

  • An element of cultural bias
  • Age can affect scores
  • Education affects scores
  • Test conditions, e.g. noisy environments, time of day, state of health, mood, test administration.

Call Memory Clinix on 0330 124 1970 to arrange a consultation with one of our registered clinicians, which will include a FREE Mini-ACE cognitive test (worth £100). 

Alternatively, you can visit the Memory Clinix website.