Using Neuropsychological Process Scores to Identify Subtle Cognitive Decline and Predict Progression to Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Background:

We previously operationally-defined subtle cognitive decline (SCD) in preclinical Alzheimer’s disease (AD) using total scores on neuropsychological (NP) tests. NP process scores (i.e., provide information about how a total NP score was achieved) may be a useful tool for identifying early cognitive inefficiencies prior to objective impairment seen in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.

Objective:

We aimed to integrate process scores into the SCD definition to identify stages of SCD and improve early detection of those at risk for decline.

Methods:

Cognitively “normal” participants from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative were classified as “early” SCD (E-SCD; >1 SD below norm-adjusted mean on 2 process scores or on 1 process score plus 1 NP total score), “late” SCD (L-SCD; existing SCD criteria of >1 SD below norm-adjusted mean on 2 NP total scores in different domains), or “no SCD” (NC). Process scores considered in the SCD criteria were word-list intrusion errors, retroactive interference, and learning slope. Cerebrospinal fluid AD biomarkers were used to examine pathologic burden across groups.

Results:

E-SCD and L-SCD progressed to MCI 2.5–3.4 times faster than the NC group. Survival curves for E-SCD and L-SCD converged at 7-8 years after baseline. The combined (E-SCD+L-SCD) group had improved sensitivity to detect progression to MCI relative to L-SCD only. AD biomarker positivity increased across NC, SCD, and MCI groups. Conclusions: Process scores can be integrated into the SCD criteria to allow for increased sensitivity and earlier identification of cognitively normal older adults at risk for decline prior to frank impairment on NP total scores.