The memory alteration test (M@T) discriminates between subjective memory complaints, mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.
This work aimed at establishing the memory alteration test (M@T), which is a memory screening test, capable for discriminating between subjects with subjective memory complaints (SMC) (without objective memory impairment) and patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (A-MCI) and with mild Alzheimer's disease (AD). The discriminative validity was assessed in a sample of 37 subjects with SMC, 50 patients with A-MCI according to the Petersen-criteria, and 66 patients with mild AD (global deterioration scale: 4 stage) according to the NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. M@T mean scores were significantly different among groups: 39.7 + or - 5.1 (+ or - S.D.) in the SMC group, 31.5 + or - 3.9 in the A-MCI group, and 21.8 + or - 4.9 in mild AD. A cut-off score of 37 points had a sensitivity of 96% and a specificity of 70% to differentiate A-MCI from SMC (ABC = 0.88). A cut-off score of 33 points had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 86% to differentiate mild AD from SMC sample (AUC = 0.99). We conclude that the M@T provides efficient and valid discrimination between SMC subjects and A-MCI, and between SMC subjects and mild AD.
Alzheimer's Disease and Other Cognitive Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Institute of Neurosciences, Hospital Clinic i Universitari de Barcelona, Institut d'Investigaciò Biomédica August Pi I Sunyer, C/Villarroell, 170, 08036 Barcelona, Spain. lrami@clinic.ub.es
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Rami
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Bosch
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Sanchez-Valle
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Molinuevo
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index