Normative data for the ACE-R in an Italian population sample

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Gerontology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a precursor to dementia, necessitating reliable screening tools.
• The Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination Revised (ACE-R) is a validated cognitive screening instrument.
• Establishing normative data is crucial for accurate interpretation of cognitive test scores across diverse populations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report normative data for the ACE-R Italian version in healthy older adults.
• To provide age-, gender-, and education-adjusted scores for the ACE-R Italian version.
• To facilitate the early detection of mild cognitive impairment and dementia in Italy.

Main Methods:

• Collected data from 264 healthy Italian subjects aged 60-93 years with varying formal education (1-19 years).
• Defined global normal cognition using the Italian version of the Mini-Mental State Examination and consensus-derived exclusion criteria.
• Employed linear regression analysis to assess the impact of age, gender, and education on ACE-R performance.

Main Results:

• Developed correction grids to adjust raw ACE-R scores based on demographic factors.
• Provided equivalent scores with cut-off values for clinical interpretation.
• Demonstrated the influence of age, gender, and education on ACE-R performance in the Italian cohort.

Conclusions:

• The ACE-R Italian version is a valuable tool for cognitive screening in the Italian population.
• Normative data and correction grids enhance the accuracy of ACE-R in identifying cognitive decline.
• This research supports improved diagnostic capabilities for dementia and related conditions in Italy.