title: Cardinal features of cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: a factor-analytic study of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale.
abstract: Factor analysis methodology applied to Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) subtest profiles for patients in two large-scale clinical trials of the antidementia drug tacrine yielded three oblique factors interpreted as dysfunctions in memory, language, and praxis. The factor structures confirmed reliable assessment of primary dimensions of cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease that the original authors of the ADAS proposed to measure and that correspond well to that of the only previously reported factor analysis of the ADAS-COG. The presence of a strong general factor, supported by stable correlations among the oblique primary factors, justifies the recommendation to continue reliance on the ADAS-COG total score as a primary outcome measure in clinical trials, whereas the factor scores are recommended for evaluation of differential treatment effects on more specific aspects of the general cognitive decline. The stability of correlations across time appears to satisfy a primary requirement for application of repeated measures ANOVA to ADAS-COG total score and factor scores in longitudinal clinical trials.
authors.affiliation: Parke-Davis, Research Division, Warner Lambert Co., Ann Arbor, Michigan 48105, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talwalker
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Overall
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Srirama
authors.forename: S I
authors.initials: SI
authors.lastname: Gracon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011594:Psychometrics; D013619:Tacrine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents; D013619:Tacrine