Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale
Staging tool for dementia severity. Assesses memory, orientation, judgment/problem solving, community affairs, home/hobbies, and personal care. CDR-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB) gives more granular staging.
Score interpretation
CDR-SB 0: no impairment (global CDR 0).
→ Routine follow-up; reassess if symptoms develop
Corresponds to a global CDR of 0.5 (O'Bryant 2008): questionable impairment / mild cognitive impairment or very mild dementia.
→ Neuropsychological testing; amyloid biomarkers if diagnostic certainty needed; lifestyle counselling; medication review; annual reassessment
Corresponds to a global CDR of 1 (O'Bryant 2008).
→ Dementia diagnosis workup; cholinesterase inhibitor if Alzheimer's; driving assessment; safety planning; carer support; DVLA notification consideration
Corresponds to a global CDR of 2 (O'Bryant 2008).
→ Specialised dementia care; medication review; carer support services; social care assessment; consider residential care needs
Corresponds to a global CDR of 3 (O'Bryant 2008).
→ Palliative and end-of-life care planning; nursing home care often required; DNACPR discussion; symptom management
Interpretation bands for the CDR Scale. Apply clinical judgement and local guidance.
References
- Morris JC. The Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR): current version and scoring rules. Neurology. 1993;43(11):2412–2414.
- O'Bryant SE, et al. Staging dementia using Clinical Dementia Rating Scale Sum of Boxes scores: a Texas Alzheimer's research consortium study. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(8):1091–1095.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
- Donepezil · Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (AChEI) — dementia
- Memantine · NMDA receptor antagonist — dementia
- Rivastigmine · Dual AChEI and BuChEI inhibitor — dementia
- Quetiapine (Elderly — Dementia Caution) · Atypical Antipsychotic
- Memantine · NMDA Receptor Antagonist — Dementia
- Rivastigmine · Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitor — Dementia
- Acute Stroke / TIA Assessment · NICE NG128; RCP Stroke Guidelines 2023
- Status Epilepticus (Adults) · NICE CG137; ESEM guidelines; RCP Neurology Guidelines
- Suspected Subarachnoid Haemorrhage · NICE NG228; RCEM 2023; AHA/ASA 2023
- Adult Head Injury · NICE NG232 (2023)
- Bell's Palsy / Facial Nerve Palsy · ENT UK 2017; AAN
- Vertigo Workup · ENT UK; NICE CKS
Decision support only — verify against a current formulary, NICE, or your local guideline before clinical use.
