Factor Consistency of Neuropsychological Test Battery Versions in the NACC Uniform Data Set

The proprietary neuropsychological tests (Form C1) of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC) Uniform Data Set were replaced with nonproprietary versions (Form C2) chosen to closely model their proprietary counterparts. Correlations between analogous test pairs as measured in previous work were good (0.68-0.78), but it is unclear whether the paired tests represent the same set of common factors of cognition or if important factors specific to C1 or C2 only exist. The authors performed multiple factor analysis to analyze correlated C1 and C2 data. They included participants who completed both neuropsychological batteries within 1 year with no change in cognitive status. They found that the C1 and C2 neuropsychological test pairs are strongly related and are represented by the same principal factors. These findings support the use of the C2 test results in conjunction with C1 in longitudinal analyses of NACC data.