6-CIT — Six-Item Cognitive Impairment Test
Brooke & Bullock (1999) six-item dementia screen. NICE-recommended for use in primary care (NG97). Inverse scoring: errors are summed; total 0–28 with higher score = greater impairment. Score ≥8 suggests cognitive impairment warranting referral.
Score interpretation
→ No further cognitive workup required from this screen. Reassess if clinical change or carer concern.
→ Refer to memory clinic; review reversible causes (B12, folate, TFTs, depression, drugs); collateral history (IQCODE).
→ Memory clinic referral; full dementia workup including MRI/CT brain; medication review; capacity, driving, safeguarding considerations; carer support.
Interpretation bands for the 6-CIT. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Tetracosactide · Synthetic ACTH (short Synacthen test)
- Donepezil · Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) — dementia
- Memantine · NMDA receptor antagonist — dementia
- Rivastigmine · Dual AChEI and BuChEI inhibitor — dementia
- Quetiapine (Elderly — Dementia Caution) · Atypical Antipsychotic
- Obeticholic Acid · FXR Agonist (Primary Biliary Cholangitis)
- Falls Assessment in Older Adults · NICE CG161 2013
- Delirium Outside ICU · NICE CG103
- Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) · BGS / NICE
- Delirium Assessment and Management · NICE CG103 2010
- Frailty Recognition and Management · BGS Frailty Framework / NHS NHSE
- Polypharmacy and Medicines Optimisation · STOPP/START v2 2014 / NICE NG5
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.