Evidence of the validity of a novel version of the computerized cognitive screening battery CompCog

ABSTRACT Although the availability of the computer-based assessment has increased over the years, neuropsychology has not carried out a significant paradigm shift since the personal computer’s popularization in the 1980s. To keep up with the technological advances of healthcare and neuroscience in general, more efforts must be made in the field of clinical neuropsychology to develop and validate new and more technology-based instruments, especially considering new variables and paradigms when compared to paper and pencil tests. Objective: This study’s objective was to produce concurrent validity evidence of the novel version of the computerized cognitive screening battery CompCog. Methods: Participants performed a traditional paper and pencil neuropsychological testing session and another session where CompCog was administrated. The data of a total of 50 young adult college students were used in the analyses. Results: Results have shown moderate and strong correlations between CompCog’s tasks and their equivalents considering paper and pencil tests. Items clustered in agreement with the subtest division in a principal component analysis. Conclusions: The findings suggest that CompCog is valid for measuring the cognitive processes its tasks intend to evaluate.

Accuracy of the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery for diagnosing Alzheimer's disease defined by cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers and AT(N) classification: a case-control study

ABSTRACT Background: Validation of cognitive instruments for detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) based on correlation with diagnostic biomarkers allows more reliable identification of the disease. Objectives: To investigate the accuracy of the Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) in the differential diagnosis between AD, non-AD cognitive impairment (both defined by cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] biomarkers) and healthy cognition, and to correlate CSF biomarker results with cognitive performance. Methods: Overall, 117 individuals were evaluated: 45 patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia within the AD continuum defined by the AT(N) classification [A+T+/-(N)+/]; 27 non-AD patients with MCI or mild dementia [A-T+/-(N)+/-]; and 45 cognitively healthy individuals without CSF biomarker results. All participants underwent evaluation using the BCSB. Results: The total BCSB and delayed recall (DR) scores of the BCSB memory test showed high diagnostic accuracy, as indicated by areas under the ROC curve (AUC): 0.89 and 0.87, respectively, for discrimination between AD and non-AD versus cognitively healthy controls. Similarly, total BCSB and DR displayed high accuracy (AUC-ROC curves of 0.89 and 0.91, respectively) for differentiation between AD and controls. BCSB tests displayed low accuracy for differentiation between AD and non-AD. The CSF levels of biomarkers correlated significantly, though weakly, with DR. Conclusions: Total BCSB and DR scores presented good accuracy for differentiation between patients with a biological AD diagnosis and cognitively healthy individuals, but low accuracy for differentiating AD from non-AD patients.

Swedish Normative Data for Mindmore: A Comprehensive Cognitive Screening Battery, Both Digital and Self-Administrated

Objective: Cognitive impairment is a key element in most mental disorders. Its objective assessment at initial patient contact in primary care can lead to better adjusted and timely care with personalised treatment and recovery. To enable this, we designed the Mindmore self-administrative cognitive screening battery. What is presented here is normative data for the Mindmore battery for the Swedish population. Method: A total of 720 healthy adults (17 to 93 years) completed the Mindmore screening battery, which consists of 14 individual tests across five cognitive domains: attention and processing speed, memory, language, visuospatial functions and executive functions. Regression-based normative data were established for 42 test result measures, investigating linear, non-linear and interaction effects between age, education and sex. Results: The test results were most affected by age and to a lesser extent by education and sex. All but one test displayed either linear or accelerated age-related decline, or a U-shaped association with age. All but two tests showed beneficial effects of education, either linear or subsiding after 12 years of educational attainment. Sex affected tests in the memory and executive domains. In three tests, an interaction between age and education revealed an increased benefit of education later in life. Conclusion: This study provides normative models for 14 traditional cognitive tests adapted for self-administration through a digital platform. The models will enable more accurate interpretation of test results, hopefully leading to improved clinical decision making and better care for patients with cognitive impairment.

The Figure Memory Test: diagnosis of memory impairment in populations with heterogeneous educational background

ABSTRACT. Diagnosis of cognitive impairment is usually difficult in low-educated individuals. The Brief Cognitive Screening Battery (BCSB) was designed as a screening tool for the evaluation of cognitive impairment in low-educated individuals, but it may also be used for evaluating individuals with high educational level. Objectives: To perform a narrative review analyzing the origin of the BCSB, to report all studies that have used the Figure Memory Test (FMT) of the BCSB, and to demonstrate that it is a useful battery for regions where populations have heterogeneous educational background. Methods: We performed a search in PubMed, SciELO, and LILACS using the terms “Brief Cognitive Screening Battery” and “Brief Cognitive Battery”. Results: We obtained 49 papers from PubMed, 32 from SciELO, and 28 from LILACS. After the exclusion of duplicate papers, 54 publications were obtained; five more studies were included from previous knowledge of the authors. Twenty-four papers were related to the impact of education on performance, diagnostic accuracy, cutoff scores and normative studies. The delayed recall of the FMT showed the best accuracy for the diagnosis of dementia with a cutoff score of ≤5 in different education levels. In 35 papers, the FMT of the BCSB was used in clinical studies with different settings, from outpatient memory clinics to epidemiological studies and evaluation of Amazon river basin dwelling individuals, and it was always considered to be easy to apply. Conclusions: The FMT of the BCSB is an easy and short tool for the diagnosis of dementia in populations with heterogeneous educational background.

Does the Nine-test Screening Battery Predict Lumbar Hyperlordosis in Adolescent Boys?

Purpose: Lumbar hyperlordosis is one of the main physical abnormalities that occur in the lumbopelvic region and affect the body movement system in daily life. This condition can also lead to chronic injuries and pain. The present study aimed to investigate the ability of the nine-test screening battery to predict the incidence of lumbar hyperlordosis in adolescent boys. Methods: This causal study described and analyzed the data with a cross-sectional design. In this regard, 60 adolescents (age range: 13 to 15 years) were selected. After the initial assessments, they were assigned into two groups: the lumbar hyperlordosis group (n=31) and the normal lordosis group (n=29). The angle of lumbar lordosis curvature and functional movements were measured using a flexible ruler and the nine-test screening battery instruction, respectively. The obtained data were analyzed using the logistic regression test at a significance level of 0.05, in SPSS v. 24. Results: The examination of the coefficients of predictive variables showed that the Wald test is statistically significant for deep squat (P=0.023) and straight leg raise (P=0.033). Also, these variables significantly contribute to the predictability of the model and the likelihood of lumbar hyperlordosis. Conclusion: Based on the results, the nine-test screening battery can predict the occurrence of lumbar hyperlordosis in adolescent boys through the components of deep squat and straight leg raise.

ACCURACY OF FIGURE MEMORY TEST OF THE BRIEF COGNITIVE SCREENING BATTERY TO PREDICT AMYLOID STATUS IN OLDER ADULTS WITH SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE

Background: Some older adults with subjective decline (SCD) had a positive amyloid biomarker indicating a preclinical stage of Alzheimer’s disease. Objectives: To assess the accuracy of Delayed Recall of Figure Memory Test (DR-FMT) of Brief Cognitive Screening Battery to predict amyloid status in SCD older adults. Objective: To assess the accuracy of Delayed Recall of Figure Memory Test (DR-FMT) of Brief Cognitive Screening Battery to predict amyloid status in SCD older adults. Methods: The sample consisted of 45 older adults classified as SCD and 25 as controls without complaints (mean age of 76.4 and 73.5, respectively, p= 0.138). They were evaluated with BCSB and a standard neuropsychological battery (which includes MMSE, MoCA, RAVLT, Logical Memory and DR of Rey Complex Figure). Subjects underwent PIB-PET to assess their amyloid status and images were classified based on visual and semi-quantitative analyses with 3DSSP methodology. Results: Twelve SCD older adults (27.3%) had positive PIB-PET against six in the controls (23.1%). In SCD group, DR-FMT was the only memory test that correlated with SUV in amyloid PET (r = -0.514, p < 0.001). Only DR-FMT showed significant area under the curve (AUC) in the ROC curve in SCD older adults (AUC = 0.771, 95% CI 0.621 - 0.921). Among SCD older adults, DR-FMT < 8.0 had a sensitivity of 83.3%, a specificity of 68.7% and an accuracy of 72.7%. Conclusion: FMT proved to have a good sensitivity and accuracy to predict amyloid status in SCD older adults.