Neuropsychological Testing
Basic Concepts
Neuropsychological testing represents the gold standard of cognitive testing to objectively demonstrate cognitive decline. Cognitive performance is generally expressed in standard deviations (SD), with 1, 1.5, and 2 deviations away from the demographic norm representing borderline, minor, or major cognitively decline respectively (Schinka et al, 2010).
MoCA, ACE-R (Addenbrooke’s cognitive examination-revised), or MMSE are useful for screening but have limited diagnostic specificity (Daffner et al, 2015). Generally, in clinic it is helpful to augment these global screens with more specific domain assessments to help determine whether more in-depth testing is needed by neuropsychologists.
The most common supplements to global screening tests that we generally use to augment our neurobehavioral examination include trail making tests A & B, semantic fluency, Boston naming test (short-form), and CERAD word-list.
Specific tests frequently used
References[edit]
Daffner, K. R. et al. Improving clinical cognitive testing: Report of the AAN Behavioral Neurology Section Workgroup. Neurology 85, 910–918 (2015). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26163433/
Schinka, J. A. et al. Defining Mild Cognitive Impairment: Impact of Varying Decision Criteria on Neuropsychological Diagnostic Frequencies and Correlates. Am. J. Geriatr. Psychiatry 18, 684–691 (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21399729/
