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Performance and intrusion errors on challenging cognitive assessments associate with subjective cognitive decline
Author(s) -
Joyce Jillian L.,
Chapman Silvia,
Barker Megan S.,
Rizer Sandra,
Sunderaraman Preeti,
Charles Kreisl William,
Cosentino Stephanie
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.046141
Subject(s) - cognition , neuropsychology , episodic memory , recall , psychology , semantic memory , neuropsychological assessment , cognitive test , effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance , intrusion , test (biology) , audiology , clinical psychology , cognitive psychology , medicine , psychiatry , geochemistry , geology , paleontology , biology
Background Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) in ostensibly cognitively normal older adults has been proposed to reflect preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Yet traditional neuropsychological tests have inconsistently linked SCD and cognitive performance, possibly reflecting the lack of sensitivity and specificity in such tests to capture subtle cognitive changes. Indeed, novel cognitive tests as well as intrusion errors appear to be more closely associated with preclinical AD biomarkers. However, there is limited investigation into the association of SCD with these cognitive outcomes. This study examines SCD in relation to the main outcomes and intrusion errors on two novel challenging cognitive tasks, and a traditional neuropsychological test. Method 94 healthy older adults with a mean age of 73 years (SD=7.36), and education of 17 years (SD=2.34) were recruited for this study. Participants completed three SCD questionnaires regarding common cognitive difficulties in memory, language, attention and executive functioning. A single factor score was derived as main outcome for SCD. Cognitive assessment included the Loewenstein‐Acevedo Scale for Semantic Interference and Learning (LASSI‐L), the Face‐Name Associative Memory Exam (FNAME) task, and the Selective Reminding Test (SRT). Main outcomes for each measure included: SRT (total and delayed recall and intrusion errors); LASSI‐L (recovery from semantic interference, percentage of intrusions errors, total semantically related intrusions (SRI) and competing item intrusions (CII)); FNAME (total names recalled, SRI and CII). Demographically adjusted linear regressions were conducted to examine the unique contribution of performance and intrusion errors on each measure to SCD. Result Both FNAME names recall (β=‐.24, p =.027) and SRI (β=.25, p =.015) were independently associated with SCD, while overall intrusions and CII were not ( p >.05). The LASSI‐L overall intrusions (β=‐ .30, p =.009) and CII (β=‐ .29, p =.014) were also associated with SCD, while SRI and recovery from semantic interference were not. ( p >.05). No SRT outcomes were associated with SCD ( p >.05) Conclusion SCD appears to capture subtle changes on sensitive cognitive measures proposed to be indicative of preclinical AD. Results support the use of both main outcomes and intrusion errors on these cognitive tests, as they may each reveal sensitive information regarding various mechanisms that can breakdown in early AD.