Cognitive Assessment Test: Validation of a Short Cognitive Test for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Disorder

Abstract

Introduction Cognitive disorders are a clinical and research challenge; in particular, the mild cognitive disorder (MiCD) requires diagnostic suspicion and tools with adequate performance for its detection. The objective of this study was the validation of a short cognitive test (CATest) for the detection of MiCD in population of 50 years or more. Methods A diagnostic accuracy study was assembled and performed in a prospective cohort. A consecutive sample of 200 Colombian subjects who represented the whole spectrum of the condition of interest allowed us to reach the objective. Validity was determined by concurrent criteria. The cut points were determined by the ROC curves considering the best overall performance and accuracy of the test. Results CATest was validated to detection of MiCD at a cut-off point of 18. As a result, scores lower than 18 classified the participants as MiCD. At this cut-off point, CATest showed sensitivity of 84.3% (CI 76 to 90.16), specificity of 71.4% (CI 95% 61.8 to 79.43), positive predictive value of 75% ( 95% CI 66.79 to 82.42), and area under curve AUC 0.8518 (standard error SE 0.0265). Discussion CATest has an adequate performance as a short cognitive test for the detection of MiCD. Its performance is superior to MiniMental and similar to Montreal Cognitive test (MoCA) according to the data reported in the literature. The advantages over other tests are the evaluation of all cognitive domains, time of application, and easy interpretation of results. CATest is a free use alternative for MiCD detection.

Differential Methylation in APOE (Chr19; Exon Four; from 44,909,188 to 44,909,373/hg38) and Increased Apolipoprotein E Plasma Levels in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment

“…We used the Neuronorma Colombia (Neuronorm-Col) diagnostic NP battery for cognitive assessment [40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48]. Neuronorm-Col consists of language tests (Boston Naming Test and Token Test), visuoconstructive skills (Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure), attention and executive functions (WAIS-III Digit Retention Tests, Corsi Cubes, Trail Making Tests A and B (TMT A and B), Digit–Symbol Test (SDMT), Stroop Color–Word Test, Tower of London test, Win-Dingo Card Sorting Test and Verbal Fluency), and memory (Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test) [40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48].…”

“…MCI was diagnosed by consensus of a multidisciplinary group that included neurologists, neuropsychologists and neuroscientists, according to the criteria of Petersen et al [4] modified from the Cognitive assessment test study described by Estrada-Orozco et al [40]. Differential diagnosis of other related cognitive disorders was based on information from complete neuropsychological testing, medical and social history, activities of daily living, reported cognitive symptoms, and neuroimaging findings.…”

“…Differential diagnosis of other related cognitive disorders was based on information from complete neuropsychological testing, medical and social history, activities of daily living, reported cognitive symptoms, and neuroimaging findings. Global cognitive functioning was assessed with the Neuronorm-Col diagnostic neuropsychological battery [40,41,42,43,44,45,46] and other functional scales [47,48]. NP criteria for MCI included scores 1.5–2.0 SD below education- and age-corrected values on at least two individual tests within a cognitive domain.…”

“…The control group was composed of cognitively healthy subjects who were selected based on the performances obtained in the screening scales and in the Neuronorma-Colombia battery, a neuropsychological battery normalized to our population in the context of the Spanish Multicenter Normative Studies (NEURONORMA project) [40,41,42,43,44,45,46] The cognitive domains evaluated in this battery were: attention (TMT A, TMT B, SDMT, Stroop Test, and Verbal and Direct Visual Span), memory (Grober & Buschke Test, Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Evocation), language (Boston Naming Test, Token Test, Verbal Fluency), visual-constructional skills (Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Copy), and executive functions (Verbal Phonological Fluency, Tower of London, Interference Stroop Test, and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test).…”

Differential Methylation in APOE Genes (Chr19; exon four; from 44,909,188 to 44,909,373) and Increased Apolipoprotein E Plasmatic Levels in Subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment”

“…Although the expression of APOE and its differential methylation levels in LOAD has been explored, there are no studies in subjects with MCI in LA describing the relationship between APOE methylation levels and apolipoprotein E differential expression. Therefore, we conducted this study [28][29][30][31][32][33][34] and other functional scales [35,36].…”