Latent variables in cognitive decline: introducing a behavioral-relational factor
Lauren Chrzanowski1, L Blake Peeples1, Benjamin T Mast1
1Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, USA.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|July 23, 2026
Summary
This study introduces a two-factor model for cognitive decline and caregiver burden in dementia. Findings show these factors worsen with dementia severity, highlighting a whole-person assessment approach.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Latent variable analysis is used to model cognitive and functional decline.
- This study expands this approach to include caregiver burden and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate and expand latent variable analysis for cognitive decline.
- To incorporate caregiver burden and behavioral symptoms into a two-factor model.
- To examine the association of these factors with dementia diagnosis severity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from 422 participants in the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) study.
- Administered cognitive (MoCA, FAQ, Logical Memory II, Trails B) and behavioral (NPI, GDS) assessments.
- Employed confirmatory factor analysis to support a two-factor model.
Main Results:
- A two-factor model of cognitive/functional (cf) decline and behavioral/relational (br) burden was supported.
- All cf measures loaded significantly on the cf factor, and br measures loaded significantly on the br factor.
- Both cf decline and br increased significantly with dementia diagnosis severity.
Conclusions:
- Findings underscore the importance of a whole-person perspective in assessing cognitive performance.
- Future research should explore using these factors to predict dementia-related outcomes like nursing home placement or disease progression.
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