The Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination: accuracy of the "screen-metric" approach in a clinical sample

This study assessed the accuracy of the "screen" versus "metric" portions of eight subtests of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination (NCSE). As part of a routine hospital assessment, 95 male patients were administered both portions of the instrument regardless of outcome on the screen. Results indicate that the screen items of some of the NCSE subtests produced a relatively high false negative rate, where the screen was passed, but the metric was failed. It is recommended that all items of the subtests be administered to more fully assess each domain and, therefore, reduce the probability of overlooking significant deficits.