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A Closer Look at Practice Effects in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease
Kevin Duff1,2, Ava Dixon2, Lindsay Embree2
1Layton Aging and Alzheimer's Disease Center, Department of Neurology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR, USA.
Abstract:
Practice effects have become a potentially important variable regarding the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment recommendations in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the understanding of these short-term changes in test scores remains unclear. The current observational study sought to examine variables that influence the magnitude of short-term practice effects in MCI and AD, including demographic information, cognitive performance, daily functioning, and medical comorbidities. One hundred sixty-six older adults classified as cognitively intact, amnestic MCI, or mild AD were tested twice across 1 week with a brief battery of neuropsychological tests. Correlational and regression analyses examined the relationship of practice effects with demographic and clinical variables. Results indicated that practice effects were minimally related to demographic variables and medical comorbidities, but they were significantly related to cognitive variables, depressive symptoms, and daily functioning. These findings expand our understanding of practice effects in MCI and AD, and they may allow a better appreciation of how they could affect clinical care and research.
Insights
Short-term practice effects in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are influenced by cognitive status and daily function, not demographics. Understanding these changes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Practice effects, or short-term changes in test scores, are increasingly recognized as significant in diagnosing and managing mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD).
- The precise factors influencing these practice effects in MCI and AD populations remain incompletely understood, necessitating further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the demographic, cognitive, functional, and comorbidity variables that impact the magnitude of short-term practice effects in individuals with MCI and AD.
- To clarify the relationship between practice effects and clinical variables in older adults with varying cognitive statuses.
Main Methods:
- An observational study involving 166 older adults categorized as cognitively intact, amnestic MCI, or mild AD.
- Participants underwent a brief neuropsychological test battery twice within a one-week interval.
- Correlational and regression analyses were employed to assess the associations between practice effects and demographic, cognitive, and clinical factors.
Main Results:
- Practice effects showed minimal correlation with demographic information and medical comorbidities.
- Significant relationships were identified between practice effects and cognitive performance metrics.
- Depressive symptoms and daily functioning levels were also found to be significantly associated with the magnitude of practice effects.
Conclusions:
- Short-term practice effects in MCI and AD are primarily linked to cognitive variables, depressive symptoms, and daily functioning, rather than demographic or comorbidity factors.
- These findings enhance the understanding of practice effects in neurodegenerative conditions, potentially improving clinical care and research methodologies.
- A nuanced appreciation of practice effects can aid in more accurate diagnostic and prognostic assessments in MCI and AD.
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