ASSESSMENTS
DSRS

Dementia Severity Rating Scale

Dementia Severity Rating Scale

The Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS) is a 12-item informant-rated questionnaire used to assess dementia severity across cognitive and functional domains. Completed by a caregiver or knowledgeable informant, the DSRS provides insight into day-to-day functioning that may not be captured by patient self-report, supporting accurate staging and longitudinal monitoring of disease progression.

Delivered digitally through the BrainCheck platform, the DSRS supports structured informant input and can be used alongside FAST and cognitive assessments for comprehensive dementia monitoring.

Benefits include:

  • 12-item informant-rated scale captures functional and cognitive decline from a caregiver perspective.
  • Provides a complementary view to patient self-report and clinician-administered assessments.
  • Supports accurate dementia staging and longitudinal monitoring of disease progression.
  • Integrates with FAST and cognitive assessments for comprehensive dementia evaluation.

What the DSRS Measures

Dementia stage severity based on caregiver-observed cognitive and functional decline.

Functional and cognitive changes across dementia domains.

Disease progression over time to support longitudinal monitoring and care planning.

Common Clinical Use Cases

  • Dementia staging and severity monitoring in neurology, geriatrics, and memory clinics.
  • Longitudinal tracking of cognitive and functional decline post-diagnosis.
  • Care planning and prognosis discussions informed by caregiver-reported data.
  • Complementing clinician-administered cognitive assessments with informant perspective.

On the BrainCheck Platform

  • Digital informant input in a structured, easy-to-complete format.
  • Automated scoring with longitudinal tracking of DSRS scores across visits.
  • Used alongside FAST and cognitive assessments for comprehensive dementia monitoring.
  • Supports integrated dementia care workflows within the BrainCheck Platform.

Frequently Asked Questions

Key things to know about the DSRS

What is the Dementia Severity Rating Scale (DSRS)?

The DSRS is a 12-item informant-rated questionnaire used to assess dementia severity across cognitive and functional domains.

What does the DSRS measure?

The DSRS evaluates cognitive and functional decline to help clinicians understand disease stage and progression over time.

Who completes the DSRS?

The DSRS is typically completed by a caregiver or knowledgeable informant, providing insight into day-to-day functioning that may not be captured by patient self-report.

Is the DSRS a diagnostic tool?

No. The DSRS is not diagnostic. It is used to stage dementia severity and monitor progression after a diagnosis has been established.

How does administering the DSRS through BrainCheck support dementia monitoring?

On BrainCheck, the DSRS supports digital informant input, structured scoring, and longitudinal tracking, and can be used alongside FAST and cognitive assessments for comprehensive dementia monitoring.

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