COGNITO: Computerized Assessment of Information Processing

Ritchie Karen De Roquefeuil Guilhem

doi:10.4172/2161-0487.1000136

Ritchie Karen De Roquefeuil Guilhem

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.4172/2161-0487.1000136

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Abstract

Most current neuropsychological batteries are pathology-specific and are unsuitable for research into multiple pathologies, longitudinal follow-up of pre-clinical changes or large general population cohort studies. Based on a comprehensive review of the literature, a neuropsychological examination, COGNITO was developed by psychiatrists and psychologists by reference to cognitive models of information processing. COGNITO covers attentional, linguistic, amnesic and visuospatial processes, with use of a tactile screen permitting recording not only of correct responses and error type, but also response latencies and qualitative aspects of performance such as perseveration, hemi-spatial field neglect and proactive intrusion. Designed for the detection of both normal and pathological cognitive changes from adolescence onwards, it was primarily developed for the study of brain ageing. A pilot study of retest reliability in adults showed acceptable levels for all sub-tests except the Stroop test. Immediate Recall and Name-Face Association both showed significant learning effects suggesting the need for alternative subtest forms if very short retest intervals are required.

Highlights

Neuropsychological batteries have tended to be either too long for use in epidemiological research or pathology-specific, being constructed around observations of patterns of cognitive deficit specific to a given diagnosis
As epidemiologists and clinicians are increasingly interested in pre-clinical stages of a disorder, test batteries are required which assess a broad range of cognitive functions and which are suitable for monitoring across time with adequate retest reliability
COGNITO is a computerized neuropsychometric examination based on existing well-validated cognitive assessment methods for PC on a Windows operating system, requiring 300 Mo of disk space for the battery, results files and manual

Summary

Introduction

Neuropsychological batteries have tended to be either too long for use in epidemiological research or pathology-specific, being constructed around observations of patterns of cognitive deficit specific to a given diagnosis. The high acceptability of computerized test presentation is well established even where there is already significant cognitive impairment [1,2,3]. Further advantages are the standardization of stimulus presentation and a significant reduction in administration time, making comprehensive neuropsychological testing possible even within large population studies. Computerization permits the use of complex administration procedures which may be tailored to suit individual needs so that difficulty levels may be adjusted according to the ability of the subject [4]

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