The Optimal Short Version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment in Diagnosing Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

ObjectivesWhile various short variants of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) have been developed, they have not been compared among each other to determine the most optimal variant for routine use. This study evaluated the comparative performance of the short variants in identifying mild cognitive impairment or dementia (MCI/dementia).DesignBaseline data of a cohort study.SettingAlzheimer's Disease Centers across the United States.ParticipantsParticipants aged ≥50 years (n = 4606), with median age 70 (interquartile range 65-76).MeasuresParticipants completed MoCA and were evaluated for MCI/dementia. The various short variants of MoCA were compared in their performance in discriminating MCI/dementia, using areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs).ResultsAll 7 short variants of MoCA had acceptable performance in discriminating MCI/dementia from normal cognition (AUC 87.7%-91.0%). However, only 2 variants by Roalf et al (2016) and Wong et al (2015) demonstrated comparable performance (AUC 88.4-88.9%) to the original MoCA (AUC 89.3%). Among the participants with higher education, only the variant by Roalf et al had similar AUC to the original MoCA. At the optimal cut-off score of <25, the original MoCA demonstrated 84.4% sensitivity and 76.4% specificity. In contrast, the short variant by Roalf et al had 87.2% sensitivity and 72.1% specificity at its optimal cut-off score of <13.Conclusions/implicationsThe various short variants may not share similar diagnostic performance, with many limited by ceiling effects among participants with higher education. Only the short variant by Roalf et al was comparable to the original MoCA in identifying MCI or dementia even across education subgroups. This variant is one-third the length of the original MoCA and can be completed in <5 minutes. It provides a viable alternative when it is not feasible to administer the original MoCA in clinical practice and can be especially useful in nonspecialty clinics with large volumes of patients at high risk of cognitive impairment (such as those in primary care, geriatric, and stroke prevention clinics).     

The Informant AD8 Can Discriminate Patients with Dementia From Healthy Control Participants in an Asian Older Cohort

ObjectivesThe informant-AD8 (i-AD8) was found to be reliable in detecting cognitive impairment and dementia in tertiary and primary health care settings. We evaluated the discriminability of the i-AD8, as compared to other brief cognitive measures, and its combination with the 5-minute Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini-Cog in detecting very mild dementia in an Asian older cohort.DesignThe Epidemiology of Dementia in Singapore (EDIS) study recruited participants from a population-based eye disease study who were of Chinese, Malay, and Indian ethnicities.Setting and ParticipantsParticipants aged ≥60 years were clinically assessed and diagnosed using the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Of the 761 participants recruited, 526 (69.1%) had no dementia (CDR = 0), 193 (25.4%) had very mild dementia (CDR = 0.5), and 42 (5.5%) had dementia (CDR ≥ 1).MeasuresParticipants were administered the Mini-Mental State Examination, MoCA, Mini-Cog, and a local neuropsychological battery. Their informants were interviewed using the i-AD8. Receiver operating characteristic analyses were conducted to establish the optimal cut-off points, and all discriminatory indices were calculated.ResultsThe i-AD8 was good and equivalent to other cognitive tools in detecting dementia [area under the curve (AUC) = 0.89, sensitivity = 0.76, and specificity = 0.94] but only fair in detecting very mild dementia (AUC = 0.69, sensitivity = 0.62, and specificity = 0.73). Combination of the i-AD8 with 5-minute MoCA or Mini-Cog in compensatory or in conjunction showed minimal improvement to the clinical utility for dementia or very mild dementia. All scales yielded a high rate of false positives (positive predictive value < 0.70).Conclusions and ImplicationsThe i-AD8 has good discriminatory power in detecting dementia (CDR ≥ 1) and is brief enough to be applied as an effective screening tool in the community. However, the i-AD8 and other cognitive tools lacked classification accuracy in detecting very mild dementia (CDR = 0.5).     

A 4-Item Case-Finding Tool to Detect Dementia in Older Persons

ObjectivesBrief cognitive tests are recommended in clinical services outside of specialized memory clinics as case-finding tools to reduce the diagnostic gap of dementia. Although the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) is among the most widely used brief tests in specialized memory clinics, its length precludes routine use in nonspecialty clinics. This study investigated whether a small subset of MoCA would suffice to match the performance of the full MoCA in detecting dementia and, hence, be useful in nonspecialty clinics.DesignCross-sectional test research.SettingAlzheimer's Disease Centers across the United States.ParticipantsParticipants age ≥65 years (n = 8773).MeasuresParticipants completed MoCA and were evaluated for dementia. The study sample was split into 2: the derivation sample (n = 4386) was used to develop a short variant of MoCA that best distinguish dementia (using the best-subset-approach with 10-fold cross-validation), while the validation sample (n = 4387) verified its actual performance using area under the receiver operating characteristic-curve (AUC).ResultsA 4-item cognitive test was identified, comprising Clock-drawing, Tap-at-letter-A, Orientation, and Delayed-recall. It demonstrated excellent performance in distinguishing dementia from nondementia (AUC 94.2%) and was comparable to that of MoCA (AUC 93.8%), even across education subgroups. It explained 85.9% of the variability in MoCA and had scores that could be mapped to MoCA with reasonable precision. At the optimal cut-off score of <10, it demonstrated 87.9% sensitivity and 87.6% specificity in detecting dementia.Conclusions and ImplicationsUsing rigorous methods, this study developed a brief cognitive test that is free of charge, takes <5 minutes to complete, covers the key cognitive domains, and has standardized instructions to allow its administration even by nonphysicians. This brief test is well suited as a case-finding tool in nonspecialty clinics (such as in primary care and geriatric clinics) and may improve care-integration with specialized memory clinics that utilize MoCA.     

Symptom Clusters of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Their Comparative Risks of Dementia: A Cohort Study of 8530 Older Persons

ObjectivesNeuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) have been recognized to increase the risk of dementia among individuals with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, it is unclear whether the risk is shared across the various NPS or driven primarily by selected few symptoms. This study sought to provide confirmatory evidence on the comparative risk of dementia across the various NPS in MCI.DesignCohort study (median follow-up 4.0 years; interquartile range 2.1–6.4 years).SettingAlzheimer's Disease Centers across the United States.ParticipantsParticipants ≥60 years of age and diagnosed with MCI at baseline (n = 8530).MeasuresParticipants completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory–Questionnaire at baseline and were followed up almost annually for incident dementia. Symptom clusters of NPS, as identified from confirmatory factor analyses, were included in Cox regression to investigate their comparative risks of dementia.ResultsThree symptom clusters of NPS were identified among participants with MCI, namely hyperactivity, affective, and psychotic symptoms. The risk of dementia was present among participants with affective symptoms [hazard ratio (HR) 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.4–1.9] and psychotic symptoms (HR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2–2.2), but not among those with hyperactivity symptoms (HR 1.1, 95% CI 0.9–1.3). The risk was higher when affective symptoms and psychotic symptoms co-occurred (HR 2.5, 95% CI 2.0–3.2), with one-half of the participants in this group developing dementia within 2.7 years of follow-up.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe findings illustrate the potential usefulness of NPS as a convenient prognostic tool in the clinical management of MCI. They also suggest the need for future research to focus on affective/psychotic symptoms in MCI when studying the neurobiological links between NPS and neurodegenerative processes.     

Validation of the Neurobehavioral Cognitive Status Examination and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test in investigations of dementia

Abstract

The aim of this retrospective study was to validate two commonly used instruments, Cognistat and the Rivermead Behavioural Memory Test, RBMT, for detection of MCI and mild dementia. Two different diagnosis groups, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease combined with mixed dementia representing mild dementia (MD), were compared with a group of patients who did not receive a diagnosis of dementia. All patients were assessed at a specialized outpatient memory clinic in a university hospital in Sweden using the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Cognistat, and RBMT. Sensitivity, specificity, predictive value, and likelihood ratio were calculated for the tests. The Cognistat and RBMT have moderate validity in the detection of MCI and mild dementia. On their own, none of the tests used is sufficient for diagnosing MCI or mild dementia. A combination of the Cognistat and RBMT provides additional information in early stage dementia; in this regard the RBMT is better than the Cognistat, which also has other limitations. The RBMT can be helpful for distinguishing between MCI and mild dementia. There is a need for a more sensitive screening test to capture early cognitive impairment related to patients' occupational performance and problems in daily life.     

Specific Nutritional Biomarker Profiles in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Subjective Cognitive Decline Are Associated With Clinical Progression: The NUDAD Project

ObjectivesNutritional insufficiencies have been associated with cognitive impairment. Understanding whether nutritional biomarker levels are associated with clinical progression could help to design dietary intervention trials. This longitudinal study examined a panel of nutritional biomarkers in relation to clinical progression in patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI).Design, setting and participantsWe included 299 patients without dementia (n = 149 SCD; age 61 ± 10 years, female 44%, n = 150 MCI; age 66 ± 8 years, female 38%). Median (interquartile range) follow-up was 3 (2-5) years.MethodsWe measured 28 nutritional biomarkers in blood and 5 in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), associated with 3 Alzheimer's disease pathologic processes: vascular change (lipids), synaptic dysfunction (homocysteine-related metabolites), and oxidative stress (minerals and vitamins). Nutritional biomarker associations with clinical progression to MCI/dementia and cognitive decline based on the Mini-Mental State Examination score were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard models and linear mixed models. We used partial least squares Cox models (PLS-Cox) to examine nutritional biomarker profiles associated with clinical progression.ResultsIn the total group, high high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were associated with clinical progression and cognitive decline. In SCD, high folate and low bilirubin levels were associated with cognitive decline. In MCI, low CSF S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) and high theobromine were associated with clinical progression to dementia and high HDL, cholesterol, iron, and 1,25(OH)₂ vitamin D were associated with cognitive decline. PLS-Cox showed 1 profile for SCD, characterized by high betaine and folate and low zinc associated with clinical progression. In MCI, a profile with high theobromine and HDL and low triglycerides and a second profile with high plasma SAM and low cholesterol were associated with risk of dementia.Conclusion and ImplicationsHigh HDL was most consistently associated with clinical progression. Moreover, different nutritional biomarker profiles for SCD and MCI showed promising associations with clinical progression. Future dietary (intervention) studies could use nutritional biomarker profiles to select patients, taking into account the disease stage.     

On-Road Behavior in Older Drivers With Mild Cognitive Impairment

ObjectivesDementia increases the risk of unsafe driving, but this is less apparent in preclinical stages such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There is, however, limited detailed data on the patterns of driving errors associated with MCI. Here, we examined whether drivers with MCI exhibited different on-road error profiles compared with cognitively normal (CN) older drivers.DesignObservational.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 296 licensed older drivers [mean age 75.5 (SD = 6.2) years, 120 (40.5%) women] recruited from the community.MethodParticipants completed a health and driving history survey, a neuropsychological test battery, and an on-road driving assessment including driver-instructed and self-navigation components. Driving assessors were blind to participant cognitive status. Participants were categorized as safe or unsafe based on a validated on-road safety scale, and as having MCI based on International Working Group diagnostic criteria. Proportion of errors incurred as a function of error type and traffic context were compared across safe and unsafe MCI and CN drivers.ResultsCompared with safe CN drivers (n = 225), safe MCI drivers (n = 45) showed a similar pattern of errors in different traffic contexts. Compared with safe CN drivers, unsafe CN drivers (n = 17) were more likely to make errors in observation, speed control, lane position, and approach, and at stop/give-way signs, lane changes, and curved driving. Unsafe MCI drivers (n = 9) had additional difficulties at intersections, roundabouts, parking, straight driving, and under self-navigation conditions. A higher proportion of unsafe MCI drivers had multidomain subtype [n = 6 (67%)] than safe MCI drivers [n = 11 (25%)], odds ratio 6.2 (95% confidence interval, 1.4–29.6).Conclusion and ImplicationsAmong safe drivers, MCI and CN drivers exhibit similar on-road error profiles, suggesting driver restrictions based on MCI status alone are unwarranted. However, formal evaluation is recommended in such cases, as there is evidence drivers with multiple domains of cognitive impairment may require additional interventions to support safe driving.     

Examining the Validity and Utility of Montreal Cognitive Assessment Domain Scores for Early Neurocognitive Disorders

ObjectivesMontreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total scores have been widely used to identify individuals with neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), but the utility of its domain-specific scores have yet to be thoroughly interrogated. This study aimed to validate MoCA's 6 domain-specific scores (ie, Memory, Language, Attention, Executive, Visuospatial, and Orientation) with conventional neuropsychological tests and explore whether MoCA domain scores could discriminate between different etiologies in early NCDs.DesignBaseline data of a cohort study.Setting and ParticipantsStudy included 14,571 participants recruited from Alzheimer's Disease Centers across United States, aged ≥50 years, with global Clinical Dementia Rating of ≤1, and mean age of 71.8 ± 8.9 years.MethodsParticipants completed MoCA, conventional neuropsychological tests, and underwent standardized assessments to diagnose various etiologies of NCDs. Partial correlation coefficient was used to examine construct validity between Z scores of neuropsychological tests and MoCA domain scores, whereas multinomial logistic regression examined utility of domain scores to differentiate between etiologies of early NCDs.ResultsMoCA domain scores correlated stronger with equivalent constructs (r = 0.15-0.43, P < .001), and showed divergence from dissimilar constructs on neuropsychological tests. Participants with Alzheimer's disease were associated with greater impairment in Memory, Attention, Visuospatial, and Orientation domains (RRR = 1.13-1.55, P < .001). Participants with Lewy body disease were impaired in Attention and Visuospatial domains (RRR = 1.21-1.47, P < .001); participants with frontotemporal lobar degeneration were impaired in Language, Executive, and Orientation domains (RRR = 1.25-1.75, P < .01); and participants with Vascular disease were impaired in Attention domain (RRR = 1.14, P < .001).Conclusions and ImplicationsMoCA domain scores approximate well-established neuropsychological tests and can be valuable in discriminating different etiologies of early NCDs. Although MoCA domain scores may not fully substitute neuropsychological tests, especially in the context of diagnostic uncertainties, they can complement MoCA total scores as part of systematic evaluation of early NCDs and conserve the use of neuropsychological tests to patients who are more likely to require further assessments.     

Disease Burdens of Alzheimer's Disease,Vascular Dementia,and Mild Cognitive Impairment

ObjectivesUnderstanding disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) based on dementia subtypes and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential for optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to investigate disease burdens of various dementias and MCI in a representative South Korean population.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting and Participants6481 Korean older adults.MethodsWe estimated the disease-specific DALYs.ResultsDALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia are estimated to increase from 1295 per 100,000 in 2016 to 9501 per 100,000 in 2065. In 2016, DALYs attributed to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI accounted for 33% (423 per 100,000), 20% (316 per 100,000), and 24% (123 per 100,000), respectively, of the total DALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia. In 2065, DALYs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI will account for 38% (3654 per 100,000), 17% (1654 per 100,000), and 27% (2585 per 100,000) of total DALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia, respectively.The years of life lived with disability (YLDs) due to MCI and all-cause dementia are estimated to rise from 479 per 100,000 in 2016 to 2807 per 100,000 in 2065. In 2016, YLDs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI composed 37% (177 per 100,000), 18% (85 per 100,000), and 15% (70 per 100,000), respectively, of the total YLDs due to MCI and all-cause dementia. In 2065, YLDs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI will account for 48% (1358 per 100,000), 15% (410 per 100,000), and 10% (290 per 100,000), respectively, of total YLDs due to MCI and all-cause dementia.Conclusions and ImplicationsConsidering the rapidly growing disease burden, resources should be allocated to continuously monitor and manage the MCI and dementia burden. Particular attention to Alzheimer's dementia is required considering its significant contribution to current and future disease burden, especially to YLD.     

蒙特利尔认知评估量表在老年轻度认知功能障碍筛查中的应用

目的探讨蒙特利尔认知评估量表（MoCA）在老年轻度认知功能障碍（MCI）患者筛查中的应用。方法选择老年MCI患者56例为MCI组和认知功能正常者50例为对照组,分别给予MoCA、简易精神状态检查量表（MMSE）评估,并分析评估结果。结果 MCI组和对照组MoCA总分明显低于MMSE总分（P〈0.01）。MoCA筛查MCI的敏感性为96.4%、特异性为84%;MMSE筛查MCI的敏感性为35.7%、特异性为100%。MoCA中除定向力项外,总分及其余各亚项的评分在MCI组和对照组间差异均有统计学意义（P〈0.01）。结论 MoCA为高敏感性的MCI筛查工具,能全面评估MCI患者的认知功能,筛查MCI的敏感性优于MMSE。     

蒙特利尔认知量表中文版诊断老年轻度认知功能损害的应用研究

目的探讨蒙特利尔认知量表(Montreal cognitive assessment,MoCA)中文版诊断老年轻度认知功能损害(mildcognitive impairment,MCI)的效能。方法选取73例MCI患者为MCI组和51例认知功能正常者为对照组,对两组进行均衡性检验及MoCA中文版评估。结果 MCI组MoCA总分、视空间功能、命名、计算力、语言、抽象及延迟回忆项得分显著低于对照组(P<0.01);以26分作为分界值,MoCA中文版诊断MCI结果与Petersen诊断标准结果相比较,差异无统计学意义(P=0.289),诊断符合率为0.935、敏感度为0.918、特异度为0.961、阳性预测值为0.971、阴性预测值为0.961。结论 MoCA中文版适于MCI患者的早期筛查和初步诊断。     

Dose-Response Meta-Analysis on Tooth Loss With the Risk of Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

ObjectivesTo quantify the dose-response associations between tooth loss and risk of cognitive impairment and dementia.DesignLongitudinal studies that examined the association between tooth loss and cognitive function were systematically searched on 6 databases through March 1, 2020. The study adhered to Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) reporting guidelines. Risk estimates were pooled using random-effects models. The dose-response associations were assessed using generalized least squares spline models.Setting and ParticipantsAdults from community, institution, outpatient or in-hospital were included in the meta-analysis.MeasuresCognitive impairment and dementia were defined by neuropsychological tests, diagnostic criteria, or medical records. Tooth loss was self-reported or assessed by clinical examinations.ResultsFourteen studies were entered into the meta-analysis, including 34,074 participants and 4689 cases with diminished cognitive function. Participants with more tooth loss had a 1.48 times higher risk of developing cognitive impairment [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.18–1.87] and 1.28 times higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia (95% CI 1.09–1.49); however, the association was nonsignificant for participants using dentures (relative risk = 1.10, 95% CI 0.90–1.11). Eight studies were included in the dose-response analysis, and data supported the use of linear models. Each additional tooth loss was associated with a 0.014 increased relative risk of cognitive impairment and 0.011 elevated relative risks of dementia. Edentulous participants faced a 1.54 times higher risk of cognitive impairment and a 1.40 times higher risk of being diagnosed with dementia.Conclusions and ImplicationsModerate-quality evidence suggested tooth loss was independently associated with cognitive impairment and dementia; risk of diminished cognitive function increased with incremental numbers of teeth lost. Furthermore, timely prosthodontic treatment with dentures may reduce the progression of cognitive decline related to tooth loss.     

Comparison of Computerized and Paper-and-Pencil Memory Tests in Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Diagnostic Studies

Objectives

To compare the diagnostic performance of computerized and paper-and-pencil memory tests in detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Neighborhood greenspace and cognition: The cardiovascular health study

ObjectivesWe examined whether greenspace measures (overall percent greenspace and forest, and number of greenspace types) were associated with clinically adjudicated dementia status.MethodsIn a sample of non-demented older adults (n = 2141, average age = 75.3 years) from the Cardiovascular Health and Cognition Study, Cox proportional hazard and logistic regression analyses were used to estimate associations of baseline greenspace with risks of incident dementia and MCI, respectively, while adjusting for demographics, co-morbidities, and other neighborhood factors. We derived quartiles of percent greenness (greenspace), forest (percent tree canopy cover), and tertiles of greenspace diversity (number of greenspace types) for 5-km radial buffers around participant's residences at study entry (1989–1990) from the 1992 National Land Cover Dataset. Dementia status and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) over 10 years was clinically adjudicated.ResultsWe observed no significant association between overall percent greenspace and risk of mild cognitive impairment or dementia and mostly null results for forest and greenspace diversity. Forest greenspace was associated with lower odds of MCI (OR quartile 4 versus 1: 0.54, 95% CI: 0.29–0.98) and greenspace diversity was associated with lower hazard of incident dementia (HR tertile 2 versus 1: 0.70, 95% CI = 0.50–0.99).DiscussionWe found divergent results for different types of greenspace and mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Improved greenspace type and diversity measurement could better characterize the association between greenspace and cognition.     

Cognitive Impairment in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease and Chronic Heart Failure: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Observational Studies

Background

Cognitive impairment is common in people living with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic heart failure (CHF); however, accurate estimates of prevalence are lacking. To date, there are no meta-analyses that have specifically investigated prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in this particular population. Our aim was to undertake a systematic review and apply meta-analytic methods to estimate the prevalence of MCI and any cognitive impairment (ACI) in people with COPD and CHF.

Conversion Between the Mini-Mental State Examination and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for Patients With Different Forms of Dementia

ObjectivesThe Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) are 2 frequently used brief cognitive screening tasks. Here, we provide a conversion method from MMSE to MoCA for patients with Alzheimer's dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and Parkinson dementia/Lewy body dementia, as well as for patients with dementia and with or without previous stroke. This conversion is needed as everyday clinical practice varies in their use of the 2 scales, which makes comparisons between studies, meta-analysis, and patient cohorts difficult.DesignObservational cohort study.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 387 patients with recently diagnosed dementia in memory clinics from the Swedish registry for cognitive/dementia disorders (SveDem) from 2007 to 2018.MethodsOverall, 387 patients of the Swedish registry for cognitive/dementia disorders with both MMSE and MoCA scores were evaluated. An equipercentile equating method was used to convert MMSE to MoCA scores in the different patient populations. Furthermore, receiver operating curves were used to examine whether MMSE or MoCA scores can distinguish between patients with different dementia types.ResultsMMSE scores were converted to MoCA scores for all dementia types and depicted in a conversion table. Results show that the equipercentile equating method and log-linear smoothing allow the creation of a conversion table in which for each test score of the MMSE, the equivalent score of the MoCA for each investigated group can be looked up (and vice-versa).Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study reports a reliable and easy conversion for transforming MMSE to MoCA scores (and vice-versa) in patients with Alzheimer's dementia, frontotemporal dementia, Parkinson dementia or Lewy body dementia, as well as patients with dementia with and without previous stroke.     

Identification of Mild Cognitive Impairments in Cancer Survivors

ABSTRACT

Changes in cognitive functioning are a frequent complaint of persons diagnosed and treated for cancer. The purposes of this study were to explore the feasibility of the use of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) for identifying mild cognitive impairment in persons who are cancer survivors as well as begin to identify the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment in cancer survivors as identified by the MoCA. Thirty-eight cancer survivors participated in this study, and 14 scored below the cutoff score of 26 on the MoCA, which indicated mild cognitive impairment. These results indicate assessment of cognitive changes in cancer patients and survivors should be part of the occupational therapy evaluation and that the MoCA is a feasible tool for such use.     

Psychometric Properties of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Canadian Stroke Network Neuropsychological Battery in an Asian Older Adult Sample

ObjectiveDespite the wide usage of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and Canadian Stroke Network (NINDS-CSN) neuropsychological battery for the detection of vascular cognitive impairment, its reliability and validity have not been established. Therefore, the present study established the psychometric properties of the battery in cognitively normal older adults in a clinical setting in Singapore.DesignLongitudinal study.Setting and ParticipantsA total of 105 cognitively normal older adults age 50 years and older were assessed in a memory clinic setting.MethodsThe 60-minute NINDS-CSN and 5-minute protocol were administered to participants at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Raw scores were transformed into standardized z scores. Test-retest reliability, concurrent validity and construct (convergent and discriminant) validity were reported.ResultsModerate-to-excellent test-retest reliability (r = 0.36–0.87), concurrent validity, and construct validity (r = 0.41–0.83) were found in both protocols over 3 months (all Ps < 0.01). Although the 5-minute protocol showed moderate validity (r = 0.41), the 60-minute protocol had excellent concurrent validity against a locally validated neuropsychological battery (r = 0.83).Conclusion and ImplicationsThe NINDS-CSN is reliable and valid in assessing cognitive function. The 60-minute protocol demonstrates great utility beyond its current usage in vascular cognitive impairment populations to the general older adult population. The 5-minute protocol can be used as a brief cognitive screening tool in primary healthcare and the community, due to its brevity and accuracy. Future research should further examine the generalizability of the NINDS-CSN battery in other dementias and cognitive disorders.     

Community-based Model for Dementia Risk Screening: The Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) Brain Health System

ObjectivesTo address the condition that community-based geriatric services for the assessment and promotion of older adults’ cognitive ability systemically aimed at delaying or preventing dementia is lacking in China.DesignA community-based model including cognitive assessment and training, geriatric health guidance and long-term support was designed based on a prospective cohort study.Setting and ParticipantsParticipants (N = 5593) were all from an ongoing cohort study, the Beijing Aging Brain Rejuvenation Initiative (BABRI) study.MethodsWe conducted receiver operating characteristic, stepwise logistic regression and branch-and-bound algorithm analyses to select the most effective tests from the BABRI neuropsychological test battery. Canonical discriminant analysis was conducted to extract the first canonical variable as a composite index of the tests. In addition, we developed comprehensive surveys and computerized cognitive trainings targeting every cognitive domain.ResultsThe BABRI brain health system (BABRI-BHS) was designed to include SCREEN, ASSESS, and DIAGNOSE sessions. When distinguishing cognitively impaired older adults from cognitively healthy older adults, the canonical variable extracted from tests in the SCREEN session achieved an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.730 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) 0.671–0.789], with a sensitivity of 0.630 and a specificity of 0.780; in the ASSESS session, the AUC was 0.906 (95% CI 0.894–0.917), the sensitivity was 0.809, and the specificity was 0.854. A stepwise screening pathway is recommended when using the BABRI-BHS in communities to divide older adults into subtypes and to provide targeted interventions and long-term geriatric health guidance.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe BABRI-BHS is an effective and efficient geriatric health care solution that is suitable for community-based dementia risk screening, providing stepwise cognitive assessments and helping older adults acquire tailored interventions and guidance conveniently.