Assessing higher cerebral functions in patients with known or suspected dementia requires sampling numerous abilities quickly and accurately. This paper reports on the performance of 20 patients with probable dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT) on the BNI Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNI Screen). These patients' performances were compared to the results of 20 age-matched normal control subjects. The performance of the Alzheimer's patients was consistently impaired when correlated to control subjects, as measured by both the BNI Screen total and the subtest scores. The BNI Screen total score matched significantly with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score in Alzheimer's patients, but the correlation accounted for only about 30 percent of the variance. In a brief and reliable manner, the BNI Screen appears to sample higher cerebral functions not captured by the MMSE. It also offers useful qualitative and quantitative information in assessing Alzheimer's patients. It provides both a single total score and subtest scores, the latter of which evaluate language function, visuospatial functions, facial affect perception, and the ability to generate affect in one's tone of voice. Memory and awareness scores are likewise furnished. The data provide potential clinical guidelines in assessing older individuals suspected of Alzheimer's disease. (RJM)