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Computerized neuropsychological tests in the early detection of dementia: Prospective findings

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 March 1997

KYLIE S. FOWLER ,
MICHAEL M. SALING ,
ELIZABETH L. CONWAY ,
JAMES M. SEMPLE  and
WILLIAM J. LOUIS
KYLIE S. FOWLER
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Department of Psychology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
MICHAEL M. SALING
Affiliation:
Department of Neuropsychology, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Department of Psychology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
ELIZABETH L. CONWAY
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
JAMES M. SEMPLE
Affiliation:
Clinical Pharmacology Unit, SmithKline Beecham Pharmaceuticals, Harlow, U.K.
WILLIAM J. LOUIS
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Austin Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3052, Australia
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Abstract

This longitudinal study examines the sensitivity of 2 computerized neuropsychological tests, delayed matching to sample and paired associate learning, to early dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Normal controls, patients in the early stages of DAT, and individuals with questionable dementia (QD) were studied. At 6 and 12 months after initial presentation, almost half of the QD group exhibited lower scores on the computerized subtests, maintaining their scores on standard testing. Over the same period NC subjects maintained their performance levels, while DAT patients continued to deteriorate. Linear discriminant function analyses of the computerized subtests at 6 and 12 months correctly classified 100% of the early DAT patients. Eighty-four and 79 percent of normal controls were correctly classified at 6 and 12 months respectively. Further development of these subtests for the detection of early dementia and the documentation of ongoing change in DAT is warranted. The findings are discussed in terms of the special sensitivity of these tests to the neuropathology of Alzheimer's Disease. (JINS, 1997, 3, 139–146.)

Keywords

Computerized neuropsychological testingDementia of the Alzheimer typeQuestionable dementiaDiscriminant function analysisHippocampus
Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 3 , Issue 2 , March 1997 , pp. 139 - 146
Copyright
© 1997 The International Neuropsychological Society

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