A-187 Is Once Enough? First Trial Performance on the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test in a Clinical Sample of Older Adults with Neurocognitive Disorders

Objective There is urgent need for tools that quickly identify neurocognitive disorders (NCD). The Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) has high sensitivity for detecting NCD severity (Mild vs. Major) and type (amnestic vs. non-amnestic). However, full administration of three learning trials makes it relatively lengthy. We examined whether first trial performance detects NCD type and severity. Method 187 patients (Mage = 74.7 ± 6.9, Medu = 16 ± 3.1; 58% male) were clinically evaluated. Diagnoses were Mild NCD—amnestic (N = 55), Mild NCD—non-amnestic (N = 67), Major NCD -amnestic (N = 23), and Major NCD –non-amnestic (N = 42). Free recall accuracy (FRA) [number freely recalled/16 *100] and cued recall accuracy (CRA) [(number of cues provided—number recalled with cues)/16 *100] were calculated for each of 3 learning trials. Results First trial performance predicted NCD severity (2 (2) = 7.84, p < .03) and type (2 (1) = 59.0, p < .001). First trial FRA predicted NCD severity (B = −3.29, p < .01). First trial FRA and CRA predicted NCD type (CRA better than FRA, (B = −4.54, p < .001). Third trial accuracy did not predict NCD severity [2 (2) = 5.75, p = .06). Third trial accuracy predicted NCD type [2 (2) = 56.6, p < .001]; third trial FRA performed similarly to first trial FRA. Conclusions Our results suggest that first trial FCSRT performance may be enough to screen for neurocognitive disorders. Findings identify free recall accuracy as a better predictor of type and cued recall accuracy a better predictor of NCD severity.