Digital neuropsychological assessment-part 1: Defining mild cognitive impairment subtypes

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Digital Health
• Cognitive Assessment

Background:

• The Digital Assessment of Cognition (DAC) is a brief, digitally administered neuropsychological protocol.
• Previous research utilized the DAC to classify a small sample of memory clinic patients into four clinical groups.
• This study aimed to validate and extend prior findings using a larger patient cohort.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate the Digital Assessment of Cognition (DAC) in a larger, diverse patient sample.
• To assess the DAC's ability to differentiate between various cognitive impairment classifications.
• To support the criterion and construct validity of the DAC for diagnosing emergent cognitive syndromes.

Main Methods:

• Administered the DAC to 179 ambulatory care/memory clinic patients.
• Conducted a comprehensive analysis of DAC core outcome measures and error behaviors.
• Classified patients into five groups (cognitively unimpaired, SCI, aMCI, dys/mxMCI, mild dementia) using established criteria based on paper/pencil assessments.

Main Results:

• The amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) group exhibited classic amnesia features, including rapid forgetting and impaired recognition.
• Slower correct recognition response latency in aMCI suggests involvement of memory and language networks.
• Subtle cognitive impairment (SCI) and dysexecutive/mixed MCI (dys/mxMCI) groups showed increased perseverations and lower executive function scores.

Conclusions:

• Findings support the criterion and construct validity of the Digital Assessment of Cognition (DAC).
• The DAC demonstrates efficacy in identifying distinct cognitive impairment profiles.
• Scaled use of the DAC could serve as an effective tool for assessing emerging mild cognitive impairment and dementia syndromes.