A Brief Computerized Paired Associate Test for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract

Background Semantic memory interference has been found to be a predictive cognitive marker of incipient AD. This is relevant given that developing assessment paradigms to identify subtle cognitive and functional deficits is a priority in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease research. Objective To examine the utility of a novel computerized paired associate test in distinguishing between mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and cognitively normal (CN) groups of older adults residing in the community. Methods Participants that were CN (n = 64) or MCI (n = 34) were administered the Miami Test of Semantic Interference and Learning (MITSI-L). This novel instrument is a brief, computerized paired associate test that measured the strength of memory binding of semantically related word pairs and introduced a proactive semantic interference condition which required participants to make different associations between semantically similar targets. A series of ANOVAs explored differences on MITSI-L performance. Logistic regression and receiver operator curves (ROC) analyses were employed to further determine discriminative validity. Results MCI participants had lower scores on all indices relative to CN elders. A composite of two subscores correctly classified 85.3% of MCI and 84.4% of CN participants. Area under the ROC was higher relative to the MMSE, immediate memory for passages, and several subtests of a sensitive memory measure, the LASSI-L. Conclusions The MITSI-L is a computerized test that can successfully differentiate MCI from CN participants. Area under the ROC curve exceeded that of global mental status and other memory measures. The effectiveness of the MITSI-L in detecting MCI, and its brief administration and portability render it worthy of further research.

Intrusion Errors and Progression of Cognitive Deficits in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment and PreMCI States

“…This cognitive stress test represents a novel paradigm that employs controlled learning and cued recall to maximize the storage of a list of target words representing 3 semantic categories [28]. Participants are tested in their preferred language (English vs. Spanish).…”

Random Forest Model in the Diagnosis of Dementia Patients with Normal Mini-Mental State Examination Scores

“…Then the participant hears the first word of each word-pair and is asked to answer the last word. PAL assesses episodic memory and executive function and could successfully detect MCI and dementia [55,56]. Modified Rey includes copy and delayed recall of the complex figure, assessing visuospatial ability and nonverbal memory.…”

A new computerized assessment battery for cognition (C-ABC) to detect mild cognitive impairment and dementia around 5 min

“…With regard to computerized cognitive battery, the Cogstate Brief Battery, which comprises four cognitive tasks and was reported to be able to distinguish patients with MCI from healthy older adults requires 10 min [ 17 ]. A brief computerized paired-associate test (the Miami Test of Semantic Interference and Learning) to detect MCI requires around 9 min [ 18 ]. As computerized cognitive test batteries, such as C-ABC, could be performed on numerous people simultaneously in a short time, it is beneficial for screening both MCI and dementia.…”