[Critical review of psychometric tests]

In this paper, a critical review of psychometric tests is proposed. The first part describes several aspects of modern, theoretical psychometry and the influence of cognitive psychology. The second part focuses on application of tests to dementia and preliminary results of a longitudinal study of cognitive evolution of patients with mild dementia. Based on this longitudinal study, the batteries of tests to be used for diagnosis, or experimental research, or clinical trials are described. The authors underline the fact that tests are not "good" or "bad" in themselves, and suggest a number of rules for selecting inclusion, evaluation and improvement criteria, related to drug treatment.