3rd September 2026 – (Los Angeles) A neurologist has highlighted a brief hand‑movement sequence known as the Luria test, explaining that it can quickly screen aspects of brain function linked to dementia. In a viral video, Dr Adnan Husein of UCLA Health demonstrates the “fist–edge–palm” routine and notes it examines motor control, executive function and sequencing. He emphasises that while many people complete the pattern with ease, others repeat steps or lose the order, which can signal difficulties in the brain’s executive systems.
The test asks a person to copy three alternating hand positions in sequence: a closed fist into the opposite palm, a karate‑chop‑style edge, and then a flat palm. Clinicians have long used this as part of broader neuropsychological assessments rather than a stand‑alone diagnosis. Research traces the method to Soviet neuropsychologist Alexander Luria, and contemporary studies still reference the “fist–edge–palm” task as a measure of executive functioning.
Dr Husein cautions that the exercise is a rapid screen, not a diagnostic tool for dementia, but it can be deployed easily in clinics. He adds that only a small fraction of neurologically typical adults struggle with the sequence, whereas difficulty is more common among people with conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or frontotemporal dementia. Public reaction to the video has underscored how the apparently simple routine can feel surprisingly demanding, particularly for people who identify as neurodivergent, highlighting the importance of context when interpreting any quick cognitive screen.