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Validation study of "Santé-Cerveau", a digital tool for early cognitive changes identification
Constance Lesoil1, Stéphanie Bombois1,2, Octave Guinebretiere1
1Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (AP-HP), Department of Neurology, Institute of Memory and Alzheimer's Disease (IM2A), Paris, France.
Alzheimer'S Research & Therapy
|April 4, 2023
Summary
The Santé-Cerveau digital tool (SCD-T) accurately screens cognitive impairment using digital neuropsychological tests. This validated tool shows good acceptance and can improve early detection and referrals for cognitive disorders.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience and Neurology
- Digital Health and Medical Technology
Background:
- A need exists for reliable, accessible tools for timely cognitive impairment identification.
- The Santé-Cerveau digital tool (SCD-T) was developed, incorporating validated questionnaires and neuropsychological tests: 5 Word Test (5-WT), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Number Coding Test (NCT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the performance of the SCD-T in identifying cognitive deficits.
- To assess the usability and acceptability of the SCD-T.
Main Methods:
- Three participant groups were formed: 65 elderly Controls, 64 neurodegenerative disease (NDG) patients (50 AD, 14 non-AD), and 20 post-COVID-19 patients (minimum MMSE 20).
- Pearson's correlation coefficients assessed the association between SCD-T tests and their standard equivalents.
- Two algorithms were evaluated: a clinician-guided approach and a machine learning classifier. Acceptability was assessed via questionnaire.
Main Results:
- All SCD-T cognitive tests showed significant association with their reference versions (e.g., verbal memory r=0.84, executive functions r=-0.60).
- The clinician-guided algorithm achieved 94.4% sensitivity and 80.5% specificity; the machine learning classifier achieved 96.8% sensitivity and 90.7% specificity.
- The SCD-T demonstrated good to excellent acceptability among participants.
Conclusions:
- The SCD-T demonstrates high accuracy in screening cognitive disorders, even in early dementia stages.
- Its good acceptance and performance suggest utility in primary care for timely referrals, improving Alzheimer's disease care pathways and clinical trial pre-screening.
