title: Predicting cognitive decline and conversion to Alzheimer's disease in older adults using the NAB List Learning test.
abstract: To validate the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) List Learning test as a predictor of future multi-domain cognitive decline and conversion to Alzheimer's disease (AD), participants from a longitudinal research registry at a national AD Center were, at baseline, assigned to one of three groups (control, mild cognitive impairment [MCI], or AD), based solely on a diagnostic algorithm for the NAB List Learning test (Gavett et al., 2009), and followed for 1-3 years. Rate of change on common neuropsychological tests and time to convert to a consensus diagnosis of AD were evaluated to test the hypothesis that these outcomes would differ between groups (AD>MCI>control). Hypotheses were tested using linear regression models (n = 251) and Cox proportional hazards models (n = 265). The AD group declined significantly more rapidly than controls on Mini-Mental Status Examination (MMSE), animal fluency, and Digit Symbol; and more rapidly than the MCI group on MMSE and Hooper Visual Organization Test. The MCI group declined more rapidly than controls on animal fluency and CERAD Trial 3. The MCI and AD groups had significantly shorter time to conversion to a consensus diagnosis of AD than controls. The predictive validity of the NAB List Learning algorithm makes it a clinically useful tool for the assessment of older adults.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02118-2526, USA. begavett@bu.edu
authors.forename: Brandon E
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Gavett
authors.forename: Al
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ozonoff
authors.forename: Vlada
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Doktor
authors.forename: Joseph
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Palmisano
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Robert C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: Angela L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Jefferson
authors.forename: Robert A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Stern
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013534:Survival