title: The Paired Associates Learning (PAL) Test: 30 Years of CANTAB Translational Neuroscience from Laboratory to Bedside in Dementia Research.
abstract: The origins and rationale of the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) as a cross-species translational instrument suitable for use in human neuropsychopharmacological studies are reviewed. We focus on its use for the early assessment and detection of Alzheimer's disease, in particular the Paired Associates Learning (PAL) test. We consider its psychometric properties, neural validation, and utility, including studies on large samples of healthy volunteers, patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and Alzheimer's disease. We demonstrate how it can be applied in cross-species studies using experimental animals to bridge the cross-species translational 'gap'. We also show how the CANTAB PAL has bridged a second translational 'gap' through its application to the early detection of memory problems in primary care clinics, using iPad technology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. jenny.barnett@camcog.com.|Cambridge Cognition, Cambridge, UK. jenny.barnett@camcog.com.
authors.forename: Jennifer H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.|Cambridge Cognition, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Andrew D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Blackwell
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.|Medical Research Council/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Sahakian
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council/Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, Cambridge, UK.|Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
authors.forename: Trevor W
authors.initials: TW
authors.lastname: Robbins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Associative learning; Drug development; Memory; Mild cognitive impairment; Translational