title: Use of a modified spatial-context memory test to detect amnestic mild cognitive impairment.
abstract: In this study we sought to differentiate participants with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (a-MCI) from those with mild dementia of Alzheimer's type (m-DAT) and normal controls by modifying an existing test of spatial context memory (SCMT) designed so as to evaluate the function of brain regions affected in early m-DAT. We found that participants with a-MCI had better total scores on our modified SCMT than those with m-DAT. Furthermore, the locational memory subtest was able to discriminate between those with a-MCI and m-DAT. Additionally, compared with other screening tests, our spatial context memory test showed high sensitivity and specificity in discerning those with a-MCI from the normal population but, was relatively ineffective in discriminating a-MCI patients from those with m-DAT. We conclude that our modified test of SCMT is an effective tool for discriminating a-MCI from m-DAT and does so by detecting differences in locational memory.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital and University Medical College, Linkou Medical Center, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Hsuan-Min
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Chien-Ming
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Wan-Chin
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Kuo
authors.forename: Chin-Chang
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Hung-Chou
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Kuo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012372:ROC Curve