Computerized cognitive testing battery identifies mild cognitive impairment and mild dementia even in the presence of depressive symptoms.
Cognitive and depressive symptoms co-occur, complicating detection of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. In this study, discriminant validity of a novel computerized cognitive battery for MCI detection was evaluated after covariation for depressive symptom severity. In addition to the computerized battery, participants at two sites received the 30-item self-administered Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS; n=72); those at two other centers received the observer-administered Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD; n=88). In both cohorts, a Global Cognitive Score and memory, executive function, visual spatial, and verbal index scores discriminated among cognitively healthy, MCI, and mild dementia groups after covariation for GDS or CSDD, respectively (p < 0.05). Thus, the computerized battery for detection of mild impairment is robust to comorbid depressive symptoms, supporting its clinical utility in identifying neurodegenerative disease even in elderly with depression.
Doniger
Glen M
GM
Department of Clinical Science, NeuroTrax Corporation, New York, New York, USA.
Dwolatzky
Tzvi
T
Zucker
David M
DM
Chertkow
Howard
H
Crystal
Howard
H
Schweiger
Avraham
A
Simon
Ely S
ES
D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003201:Computers; D003704:Dementia / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index