We investigated the relative discriminatory efficacy of an event-based prospective memory (PM) task, in which specificity of the instructions and perceptual salience of the PM cue were manipulated, compared with two widely used retrospective memory (RM) tests (Rivermead Paragraph Recall Test and CERAD-Word List Test), when detecting mild cognitive impairment of suspected Alzheimer's disease etiology (MCI-AD) (N = 19) from normal controls (NC) (N = 21). Statistical analyses showed high discriminatory capacity of the PM task for detecting MCI-AD. The Non-Specific-Non-Salient condition proved particularly useful in detecting MCI-AD, possibly reflecting the difficulty of the task, requiring more strategic attentional resources to monitor for the PM cue. With a cutoff score of <4/10, the Non-Specific-Non-Salient condition achieved a sensitivity = 84%, and a specificity = 95%, superior to the most discriminative RM test used (CERAD-Total Learning: sensitivity = 83%; specificity = 76%). Results suggest that PM is an early sign of memory failure in MCI-AD and may be a more pronounced deficit than retrospective failure, probably reflecting the greater self-initiated retrieval demands involved in the PM task used. Limitations include the relatively small sample size, and the use of a convenience sample (i.e. memory clinic attenders and healthy active volunteers), reducing the generalizability of the results, which should be regarded as preliminary. (JINS, 2009, 15, 154-159.).

A cognitive assessment strategy that is not limited to examining a set of summary test scores may be more helpful for early detection of emergent illness such as Alzheimer's disease (AD) and may permit a better understanding of cognitive functions and dysfunctions in those with AD and other dementia disorders. A revisit of the work already undertaken by Kaplan and colleagues using the Boston Process-Approach provides a solid basis for identifying new opportunities to capture data on neurocognitive processes, test-taking strategies and response styles. Thus, this critical review will combine traditional process-based assessment strategies with support provided or offered by newer technologies that have the potential to add value to data collection and interpretation. There is now considerable interest in neuropsychological test administration using computer/digital technology, both in research and in clinical settings. To add value, any computerized version of an existing cognitive test should respect the administration procedure for which normative data were obtained, should be time-saving in terms of scoring and interpretation, and should, we argue, facilitate gathering information about the processes and strategies followed in test completion. This article will offer an overview of the steps needed when implementing computerization of neuropsychological tests using a Process-Based Approach (PBA) to these technology-based adaptations and will discuss further developments in this area by linking it to future technological developments that may be possible in the area of neuropsychological assessment. Additionally, an overview of neuropsychological tests that may benefit from computerization will be presented, together with suggestions on the specific processes, strategies and features that may be captured with the aid of such computerization. Finally, hypotheses on how virtual reality could be an asset for the future of the PBA to neuropsychological assessment will also be discussed.

Posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) and logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia (LvPPA) are considered early-onset dementias most commonly caused by Alzheimer pathology. PCA is characterized by a progressive decline in higher order visual processing functions, whereas LvPPA is a form of primary progressive aphasia. The clinical presentation of both syndromes is typically earlier in life relative to the more typical “amnestic” form of Alzheimer disease. Prominent language deficits have been well described in PCA. Here, we describe the case of a 56-year-old man presenting with overlapping anatomic, clinical, and cognitive features of PCA and LvPPA and review the existing literature relating to the clinical features shared by these conditions, exploring the etiology, and implications for clinical practice in cases with a PCA-LvPPA overlap syndrome. In PCA, atrophy occurs in temporoparietal-occipital regions, whereas in LvPPA atrophy occurs at the temporoparietal junctions, with left-sided predominance. A defective phonological loop (a short-term storage system which holds speech sounds in memory for 1 to 2 s) seems to underlie the logopenic syndrome in both conditions. Other parietal lobe deficits, in proximity to both language and visual processing areas, such as dyscalculia and ideomotor apraxia are also commonly found in both conditions. We suspect that cases with an overlap PCA-LvPPA syndrome are relatively underreported which may relate to the fact that these cases occur on a spectrum depending on the stage of disease progression and do not easily fit into strict diagnostic categories according to existing criteria of PCA and LvPPA, respectively.

The contribution of RM to both components of PM, along with the finding of heterogeneity in performance among participants have important implications for theoretical understanding and clinical practice.

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It is expected that future versions of cognitive screening tests, modified using a PBA, will highlight the benefits of attending to qualitative features of test performance when trying to identify subtle features suggestive of MCI and/or dementia.

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A proliferation of tests exists for the assessment of auditory-verbal memory processes. However, from a clinical practice perspective, the situation is less clear when it comes to the ready availability of reliable and valid tests for the evaluation of visual/visuo-spatial memory processes. While, at face value, there appear to be a wide range of available tests of visual/visuo-spatial memory, utilizing different types of materials and assessment strategies, a number of criticisms have been, and arguably should be, leveled at the majority of these tests. The criticisms that have been directed toward what are typically considered to be visual/visuo-spatial memory tests, such as (1) the potential for verbal mediation, (2) over-abstraction of stimuli, (3) the requirement of a drawing response, and (4) the lack of sensitivity to unilateral brain lesions, mean that, in reality, the number of readily available valid tests of visual/visuo-spatial memory is, at best, limited. This article offers a critical, historical review on the existing measures and resources for the neuropsychological assessment of visual/visuo-spatial memory, and it showcases some examples of newer tests that have aimed to overcome the challenges of assessing these important aspects of memory. The article also identifies new trends and examples of how technological advances such as virtual reality may add value to overcome previous obstacles to assessment, thereby offering professionals more reliable, accurate means to evaluate visual/visuo-spatial memory in clinical practice.