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Development of the mobile cognitive app performance platform for detection of AD‐related cognitive change
Author(s) -
MechanicHamilton Dawn,
Lydon Sean,
Halberstadter Kimberly,
Lane Jacqueline,
Das Sandhitsu R.,
Wolk David A.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1002/alz.045138
Subject(s) - memory span , cognition , psychology , audiology , cognitive test , neuropsychology , cognitive decline , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , cognitive psychology , working memory , medicine , dementia , disease , neuroscience , pathology
Background This pilot study investigates the psychometric properties of a mobile app‐based memory task, the mobile cognitive app performance platform (mCAPP), to detect memory changes associated with preclinical Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). A mobile, reliable, valid, short, and engaging cognitive assessment is necessary for early detection and tracking change in individuals at risk for AD. Method Participants included 30 older adults (60% female; age=70.9±4.1, years of education=16±2.5; 73% Caucasian) with normal cognition who are enrolled in the Penn ADRC cohort. The mCAPP memory task includes learning and then matching hidden card pairs and incorporates increasing memory load, pattern separation features (lure vs. non‐lure), and spatial memory (moving target cards). Participants completed the NACC UDS3 neuropsychological battery and additional cognitive measures, within six months of the mCAPP testing and twenty participants completed a high‐resolution structural MRI scan. Result Almost all participants found the difficulty level of the mCAPP game to be “just right” (92%), 65% reported they enjoyed the game and 43% reported they would play it for fun. Higher average number of guesses at higher memory load levels was correlated with lower story learning and memory, digit span, trail making test (TMT) B and olfactory performance (p<0.05). Higher average duration of time on the higher memory load levels was correlated with worse performance on digit span, animal naming, TMT A and B, and olfaction (p<0.05). The number of guesses and duration of time on lure vs. non‐lure trials was significantly different, with more guesses and more time required for the lure trials (requires pattern separation) at higher memory load levels [Guesses: 8 card, t(29)=5.6,p<0.001; 12 cards, t(29)=4.5,p<0.001; Duration: 8 cards, t(29)=6.9,p<0.001; 12 cards, t(29)=5.9,p<0.001]. At some higher memory load levels, longer duration of time on trials correlated with smaller mean thickness of the parahippocampal cortex (p<0.05). Conclusion In this study, we show feasibility, validity, and utility of multiple memory components of the mCAPP memory task for use in detecting subtle cognitive differences associated with preclinical AD. Future work will include examination of the relationship of mCAPP variables with molecular biomarkers, at‐home and burst testing, and development of additional measures in other domains of cognition.