The Diagnostic Prediction of the Kaplan–Baycrest Neurocognitive Assessment for Identification of Mild Dementia

• Published in: Archives of clinical neuropsychology 2010-08, Vol.25 (5), p.359-370
• Main Author: LEACH, Larry
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Biological and medical sciences; Case-Control Studies; Cognition Disorders - complications; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; Cognition Disorders - psychology; Dementia; Dementia - complications; Dementia - diagnosis; Dementia - psychology; Diagnosis; Discrimination (Psychology) - physiology; Female; Humans; Kaplan-Meier Estimate; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Recall - physiology; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological assessment; Neuropsychological Tests; Predictive Value of Tests; Problem Solving - physiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychometrics. Diagnostic aid systems; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Recognition (Psychology) - physiology; Sensitivity; Specificity; Techniques and methods; Verbal Behavior - physiology
• ISSN: 0887-6177; 1873-5843
• DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acq034

The purpose of this study was to: (1) determine the diagnostic prediction of the global score of the Kaplan–Baycrest Neurocognitive Assessment and (2) determine which subtests discriminate individuals with mild dementia from individuals without dementia. A case–control study of 33 individuals, diagnosed with mild dementia, was matched with 33 individuals with no cognitive or memory complaints, on age, education, and gender. A global measure score correctly classified 94% of the total sample with a sensitivity of 0.91 and specificity of 0.97. A measure composed of three subtest scores, representing verbal episodic memory, visual episodic memory, and semantic fluency, correctly classified 98% of the sample with a sensitivity of 1.00 and specificity of 0.97. The results indicate that the Kaplan–Baycrest Neurocognitive Assessment is a valid tool for prediction of cognitive impairment associated with mild dementia.