The Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS): Psychometric Characteristics in a Clinical Referral Sample

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Carlton S. Gass ◽  
Brooke Patten ◽  
Ailyn Penate ◽  
Alice Rhodes
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Temporal Orientation ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Cognitive Complaint ◽  
Thought Disturbance

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS), a 39-item Likert-type self-report instrument that requires a fifth grade reading level. The CDS is a popular instrument that has been shown to predict cognitive decline in older persons. Method: Participants were 512 consecutive outpatient referrals (71% women, mean age 60.6, and education 14.6 years) for a neuropsychological examination in a memory disorders clinic as part of a broader neurodiagnostic workup for cognitive decline. A principal components analysis was followed by a varimax rotation (Kaiser). Factor scores were investigated in relation to multiple internal and external criteria including demographics, Cronbach’s alpha, Digit Span, and Wechsler Memory Scale-IV Logical Memory (LM) and Visual Reproduction (VR), and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI)-2 measures of depression, anxiety, somatic preoccupations, and thought disturbance. Results: Six dimensions of cognitive complaint emerged accounting for 64% of the variance: attention/concentration, praxis, prospective memory, speech problems, memory for people’s names, and temporal orientation. The factors showed good internal consistency (alphas > .850). Correlations with Digit Span, LM, and VR were all nonsignificant. CDS scores were associated with MMPI-2 measures of anxiety, depression, somatic preoccupation, and thought disturbance. Percentiles and T-scores were derived for raw scores on the CDS and its six component subscales. Conclusion: The CDS is a multidimensional measure of subjective cognitive complaints that provides clinicians with a psychometrically sound basis for deriving a profile with six subscale scores. The test has clinical utility and is a potentially useful tool in research involving age-related cognitive changes and meta-cognition.

A-188 Psychometric Characteristics of the Cognitive Difficulties Scale in a Clinical Referral Sample

2020 ◽  
Vol 35 (6) ◽  
pp. 983-983
Author(s):  
Gass C ◽  
Patten B ◽  
Penate A ◽  
Rhodes A
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Digit Span ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Fine Motor ◽  
Subjective Cognitive Decline ◽  
Temporal Orientation ◽  
Factor Scores ◽  
Psychometric Characteristics ◽  
Cognitive Difficulties ◽  
Cognitive Complaint

Abstract Objective Evaluate the psychometric characteristics of the Cognitive Difficulties Scale (CDS; McNair & Kahn, 1983), a 39-item Likert-type self-report instrument that requires a fifth-grade reading level. The CDS is a popular instrument that has been shown to predict cognitive decline. Evaluation included an exploratory factor analysis, measures of internal consistency, relation to demographics, criterion validity, and normative table for raw to T score/percentile transformation. Method Participants were 643 consecutive referrals (71% women, mean age 60.6 and education 14.6 years) for a neuropsychological examination in a memory disorders clinic as part of a broader neurodiagnostic workup for cognitive decline. A principal components analysis was conducted followed by varimax rotation (Kaiser). Factor scores were investigated in relation to multiple internal and external criteria. Results Six dimensions of cognitive complaint emerged accounting for 64% of the variance: Attention/Concentration, Fine Motor Skill, Prospective Memory, Speech Problems, Memory for Names, and Temporal Orientation. Factors showed good internal consistencies (alphas > .850). Correlations with Logical Memory, Visual Reproduction, and Digit Span were all nonsignificant. CDS factor scores were highly predictive of MMPI-2 measures of anxiety, depression, and somatic preoccupation. Percentiles and T-scores were derived for the CDS total score and its six component scales. Conclusion The CDS is a multidimensional measure of subjective cognitive complaints that provides clinicians with a psychometrically sound basis for deriving a profile with six subscale scores. The test has substantial clinical utility, and is a potentially useful tool in exploring subjective cognitive decline as a prodrome to dementia.

Activity Engagement in Cognitive Aging: A Review of the Evidence

2013 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yvonne Rogalski ◽  
Muriel Quintana
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Social Activity ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Omega 3 ◽  
Neuroprotective Effects ◽  
Activity Engagement ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

The population of older adults is rapidly increasing, as is the number and type of products and interventions proposed to prevent or reduce the risk of age-related cognitive decline. Advocacy and prevention are part of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association’s (ASHA’s) scope of practice documents, and speech-language pathologists must have basic awareness of the evidence contributing to healthy cognitive aging. In this article, we provide a brief overview outlining the evidence on activity engagement and its effects on cognition in older adults. We explore the current evidence around the activities of eating and drinking with a discussion on the potential benefits of omega-3 fatty acids, polyphenols, alcohol, and coffee. We investigate the evidence on the hypothesized neuroprotective effects of social activity, the evidence on computerized cognitive training, and the emerging behavioral and neuroimaging evidence on physical activity. We conclude that actively aging using a combination of several strategies may be our best line of defense against cognitive decline.

Comparing Traumatic Brain Injury Symptoms Reported via Questionnaires Versus a Novel Structured Interview

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Natalie A. Emmert ◽  
Georgia Ristow ◽  
Michael A. McCrea ◽  
Terri A. deRoon-Cassini ◽  
Lindsay D. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
Traumatic Brain Injury ◽  
Brain Injury ◽  
Response Bias ◽  
Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Structured Interview ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Symptom Reporting ◽  
Clinical Interviews

Abstract Objective: Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) symptoms are typically assessed via questionnaires in research, yet questionnaires may be more prone to biases than direct clinical interviews. We compared mTBI symptoms reported on two widely used self-report inventories and the novel Structured Interview of TBI Symptoms (SITS). Second, we explored the association between acquiescence response bias and symptom reporting across modes of assessment. Method: Level 1 trauma center patients with mTBI (N = 73) were recruited within 2 weeks of injury, assessed at 3 months post-TBI, and produced nonacquiescent profiles. Assessments collected included the SITS (comprising open-ended and closed-ended questions), Rivermead Post Concussion Symptoms Questionnaire (RPQ), Sport Concussion Assessment Tool-3 (SCAT-3) symptom checklist, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2 Restructured Form True Response Inconsistency (TRIN-r) scale. Results: Current mTBI symptom burden and individual symptom endorsement were highly concordant between SITS closed-ended questions, the RPQ, and the SCAT-3. Within the SITS, participants reported significantly fewer mTBI symptoms to open-ended as compared to later closed-ended questions, and this difference was weakly correlated with TRIN-r. Symptom scales were weakly associated with TRIN-r. Conclusions: mTBI symptom reporting varies primarily by whether questioning is open- vs. closed-ended but not by mode of assessment (interview, questionnaire). Acquiescence response bias appears to play a measurable but small role in mTBI symptom reporting overall and the degree to which participants report more symptoms to closed- than open-ended questioning. These findings have important implications for mTBI research and support the validity of widely used TBI symptom inventories.

scholarly journals Location, Location, Location: The Role of Objective Neighborhood Characteristics for Perceptions of Control

Gerontology ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Johanna Drewelies ◽  
Peter Eibich ◽  
Sandra Düzel ◽  
Simone Kühn ◽  
Christian Krekel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Internal Control ◽  
Reference Model ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Control Beliefs ◽  
External Control ◽  
Neighborhood Characteristics ◽  
Linear Regression Models ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Self Report Data

<b><i>Introduction:</i></b> Control beliefs can protect against age-related declines in functioning. It is unclear whether neighborhood characteristics shape how much control people perceive over their life. This article studies associations of neighborhood characteristics with control beliefs of residents of a diverse metropolitan area (Berlin, Germany). <b><i>Methods:</i></b> We combine self-report data about perceptions of control obtained from participants in the Berlin Aging Study II (<i>N</i> = 507, 60–87 years, 51% women) with multisource geo-referenced indicators of neighborhood characteristics using linear regression models. <b><i>Results:</i></b> Findings indicate that objective neighborhood characteristics (i.e., unemployment rate) are indeed tied to perceptions of control, in particular, how much control participants feel others have over their lives. Including neighborhood characteristics in part doubled the amount of explained variance compared with a reference model covarying for demographic characteristics only (from <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.017 to <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.030 for internal control beliefs; <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.056 to <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.102 for external control beliefs in chance; <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.006 to <i>R</i><sup>2</sup> = 0.030 for external control beliefs in powerful others). <b><i>Discussion/Conclusion:</i></b> Findings highlight the importance of access to neighborhood resources for control beliefs across old age and can inform interventions to build up neighborhood characteristics which might be especially helpful in residential areas with high unemployment.

scholarly journals Targeting impaired nutrient sensing with repurposed therapeutics to prevent or treat age-related cognitive decline and dementia: A systematic review

2021 ◽  
Vol 67 ◽  
pp. 101302
Author(s):  
Benjamin Kioussis ◽  
Camilla S.L. Tuttle ◽  
Daniel S. Heard ◽  
Brian K. Kennedy ◽  
Nicola T. Lautenschlager ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Nutrient Sensing ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

scholarly journals Gene Expression Profile in Different Age Groups and Its Association with Cognitive Function in Healthy Malay Adults in Malaysia

Cells ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1611
Author(s):  
Nur Fathiah Abdul Abdul Sani ◽  
Ahmad Imran Zaydi Amir Amir Hamzah ◽  
Zulzikry Hafiz Abu Abu Bakar ◽  
Yasmin Anum Mohd Mohd Yusof ◽  
Suzana Makpol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Aging ◽  
Successful Aging ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Genetic Network ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

The mechanism of cognitive aging at the molecular level is complex and not well understood. Growing evidence suggests that cognitive differences might also be caused by ethnicity. Thus, this study aims to determine the gene expression changes associated with age-related cognitive decline among Malay adults in Malaysia. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 160 healthy Malay subjects, aged between 28 and 79, and recruited around Selangor and Klang Valley, Malaysia. Gene expression analysis was performed using a HumanHT-12v4.0 Expression BeadChip microarray kit. The top 20 differentially expressed genes at p < 0.05 and fold change (FC) = 1.2 showed that PAFAH1B3, HIST1H1E, KCNA3, TM7SF2, RGS1, and TGFBRAP1 were regulated with increased age. The gene set analysis suggests that the Malay adult’s susceptibility to developing age-related cognitive decline might be due to the changes in gene expression patterns associated with inflammation, signal transduction, and metabolic pathway in the genetic network. It may, perhaps, have important implications for finding a biomarker for cognitive decline and offer molecular targets to achieve successful aging, mainly in the Malay population in Malaysia.

scholarly journals Aging-associated deficit in CCR7 is linked to worsened glymphatic function, cognition, neuroinflammation, and β-amyloid pathology

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (21) ◽  
pp. eabe4601
Author(s):  
Sandro Da Mesquita ◽  
Jasmin Herz ◽  
Morgan Wall ◽  
Taitea Dykstra ◽  
Kalil Alves de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cells ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Brain Aging ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Lymphatic Vasculature ◽  
Amyloid Aβ ◽  
Β Amyloid ◽  
Old Mice

Aging leads to a progressive deterioration of meningeal lymphatics and peripheral immunity, which may accelerate cognitive decline. We hypothesized that an age-related reduction in C-C chemokine receptor type 7 (CCR7)–dependent egress of immune cells through the lymphatic vasculature mediates some aspects of brain aging and potentially exacerbates cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease–like brain β-amyloid (Aβ) pathology. We report a reduction in CCR7 expression by meningeal T cells in old mice that is linked to increased effector and regulatory T cells. Hematopoietic CCR7 deficiency mimicked the aging-associated changes in meningeal T cells and led to reduced glymphatic influx and cognitive impairment. Deletion of CCR7 in 5xFAD transgenic mice resulted in deleterious neurovascular and microglial activation, along with increased Aβ deposition in the brain. Treating old mice with anti-CD25 antibodies alleviated the exacerbated meningeal regulatory T cell response and improved cognitive function, highlighting the therapeutic potential of modulating meningeal immunity to fine-tune brain function in aging and in neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals Multimodal measurement approach to identify individuals with mild cognitive impairment: study protocol for a cross-sectional trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. e046879
Author(s):  
Bernhard Grässler ◽  
Fabian Herold ◽  
Milos Dordevic ◽  
Tariq Ali Gujar ◽  
Sabine Darius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Cognitive Decline ◽  
Cognitive Performance ◽  
Classification Accuracy ◽  
Multimodal Approach ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Age Related Cognitive Decline

IntroductionThe diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), that is, the transitory phase between normal age-related cognitive decline and dementia, remains a challenging task. It was observed that a multimodal approach (simultaneous analysis of several complementary modalities) can improve the classification accuracy. We will combine three noninvasive measurement modalities: functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), electroencephalography and heart rate variability via ECG. Our aim is to explore neurophysiological correlates of cognitive performance and whether our multimodal approach can aid in early identification of individuals with MCI.Methods and analysisThis study will be a cross-sectional with patients with MCI and healthy controls (HC). The neurophysiological signals will be measured during rest and while performing cognitive tasks: (1) Stroop, (2) N-back and (3) verbal fluency test (VFT). Main aims of statistical analysis are to (1) determine the differences in neurophysiological responses of HC and MCI, (2) investigate relationships between measures of cognitive performance and neurophysiological responses and (3) investigate whether the classification accuracy can be improved by using our multimodal approach. To meet these targets, statistical analysis will include machine learning approaches.This is, to the best of our knowledge, the first study that applies simultaneously these three modalities in MCI and HC. We hypothesise that the multimodal approach improves the classification accuracy between HC and MCI as compared with a unimodal approach. If our hypothesis is verified, this study paves the way for additional research on multimodal approaches for dementia research and fosters the exploration of new biomarkers for an early detection of nonphysiological age-related cognitive decline.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the local Ethics Committee (reference: 83/19). Data will be shared with the scientific community no more than 1 year following completion of study and data assembly.Trial registration numberClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04427436, registered on 10 June 2020, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/study/NCT04427436.

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