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Weizenbaum EL, Soberanes D, Hsieh S, Molinare CP, Buckley RF, Betensky RA, Properzi MJ, Marshall GA, Rentz DM, Johnson KA, Sperling RA, Amariglio RE, Papp KV. Capturing learning curves with the multiday Boston Remote Assessment of Neurocognitive Health (BRANCH): Feasibility, reliability, and validity. Neuropsychology 2024; 38:198-210. [PMID: 37971862 PMCID: PMC10841660 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Unsupervised remote digital cognitive assessment makes frequent testing feasible and allows for measurement of learning over repeated evaluations on participants' own devices. This provides the opportunity to derive individual multiday learning curve scores over short intervals. Here, we report feasibility, reliability, and validity, of a 7-day cognitive battery from the Boston Remote Assessment for Neurocognitive Health (Multiday BRANCH), an unsupervised web-based assessment. METHOD Multiday BRANCH was administered remotely to 181 cognitively unimpaired older adults using their own electronic devices. For 7 consecutive days, participants completed three tests with associative memory components (Face-Name, Groceries-Prices, Digit Signs), using the same stimuli, to capture multiday learning curves for each test. We assessed the feasibility of capturing learning curves across the 7 days. Additionally, we examined the reliability and associations of learning curves with demographics, and traditional cognitive and subjective report measures. RESULTS Multiday BRANCH was feasible with 96% of participants completing all study assessments; there were no differences dependent on type of device used (t = 0.71, p = .48) or time of day completed (t = -0.08, p = .94). Psychometric properties of the learning curves were sound including good test-retest reliability of individuals' curves (intraclass correlation = 0.94). Learning curves were positively correlated with in-person cognitive tests and subjective report of cognitive complaints. CONCLUSIONS Multiday BRANCH is a feasible, reliable, and valid cognitive measure that may be useful for identifying subtle changes in learning and memory processes in older adults. In the future, we will determine whether Multiday BRANCH is predictive of the presence of preclinical Alzheimer's disease. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma L Weizenbaum
- Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Daniel Soberanes
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Stephanie Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Cassidy P Molinare
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Rachel F Buckley
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Rebecca A Betensky
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Global Public Health, New York University
| | - Michael J Properzi
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Gad A Marshall
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Dorene M Rentz
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Keith A Johnson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Reisa A Sperling
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Rebecca E Amariglio
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
| | - Kathryn V Papp
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School
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Pais MV, Kuo C, Ances BM, Wetherell JL, Lenze EJ, Diniz BS. Relationship between baseline plasma p-tau181 and longitudinal changes in cognition and structural brain measures in a cohort of cognitively unimpaired older adults. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12487. [PMID: 37954547 PMCID: PMC10634375 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12487] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) affects a significant proportion of cognitively unimpaired (CU) older adults. Currently, blood-based biomarkers detect very early changes in the AD continuum with great accuracy. METHODS We measured baseline plasma phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181 using electrochemiluminescence (ECL)-based assay (MesoScale Discovery) in 533 CU older adults. Follow-up lasted up to 18 months. Cognitive performance assessment included memory and cognitive control. Structural brain measures included cortical thickness, which includes the AD magnetic resonance imaging (AD MRI) signature, and hippocampal volume. RESULTS In this cohort of CU older adults, baseline plasma p-tau181 levels were not associated with short-term changes in cognition and structural brain measures. Also, baseline plasma p-tau levels did not influence the effects of behavioral interventions (exercise or mindfulness) on cognitive and structural brain changes. DISCUSSION The short follow-up and healthy status of this CU cohort might have limited the sensitivity of plasma p-tau181 in detecting changes associated with AD pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcos V. Pais
- UConn Center on AgingUniversity of Connecticut Health CenterFarmingtonConnecticutUSA
- Laboratory of Neuroscience (LIM‐27)Departamento e Instituto de PsiquiatriaFaculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Sao Paulo (FMUSP)Sao PauloBrazil
| | - Chia‐Ling Kuo
- Department of Public Health SciencesUniversity of Connecticut Health CenterFarmingtonConnecticutUSA
| | - Beau M. Ances
- Department of NeurologyWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | | | - Eric J. Lenze
- Healthy Mind Lab, Department of PsychiatryWashington University School of MedicineSt. LouisMissouriUSA
| | - Breno S. Diniz
- UConn Center on AgingUniversity of Connecticut Health CenterFarmingtonConnecticutUSA
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Young CB, Mormino EC, Poston KL, Johnson KA, Rentz DM, Sperling RA, Papp KV. Computerized cognitive practice effects in relation to amyloid and tau in preclinical Alzheimer's disease: Results from a multi-site cohort. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 15:e12414. [PMID: 36950699 PMCID: PMC10026103 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/22/2023]
Abstract
Scalable cognitive paradigms that provide metrics such as the Computerized Cognitive Composite (C3) may be sensitive enough to relate to Alzheimer's disease biomarkers in the preclinical clinically unimpaired (CU) stage. We examined CU older adults (n = 3287) who completed alternate versions of the C3 approximately 51 days apart. A subset of CU with abnormal amyloid also completed tau positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. C3 initial performance and practice effects were examined in relation to amyloid status and continuous regional tau burden. Initial C3 performance was associated with amyloid status across all participants, and with tau burden in the medial temporal lobe and early cortical regions in CU with abnormal amyloid. Short-term practice effects were associated with reduced tau in these regions in CU with abnormal amyloid, but were not associated with amyloid status. Thus, computerized cognitive testing repeated over a short follow-up period provides additional insights into early Alzheimer's disease processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christina B. Young
- Department of Neurology and Neurological ScienceStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Elizabeth C. Mormino
- Department of Neurology and Neurological ScienceStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Kathleen L. Poston
- Department of Neurology and Neurological ScienceStanford University School of MedicineStanfordCaliforniaUSA
| | - Keith A. Johnson
- Center for Alzheimer Research and TreatmentDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Dorene M. Rentz
- Center for Alzheimer Research and TreatmentDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Reisa A. Sperling
- Center for Alzheimer Research and TreatmentDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
| | - Kathryn V. Papp
- Center for Alzheimer Research and TreatmentDepartment of NeurologyBrigham and Women's HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
- Department of NeurologyMassachusetts General HospitalHarvard Medical SchoolBostonMassachusettsUSA
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Almkvist O, Graff C. Practice effects in cognitive assessments three years later in non-carriers but not in symptom-free mutation carriers of autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease: Exemplifying procedural learning and memory? Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:905329. [PMID: 36275006 PMCID: PMC9580215 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.905329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Practice effects (PEs) defined as an improvement of performance in cognition due to repeated assessments between sessions are well known in unimpaired individuals, while less is known about impaired cognition and particularly in latent brain disease as autosomal-dominant Alzheimer's disease. The purpose was to evaluate the general (across tests/domains) and domain-specific PE calculated as the annual rate of change (ARC) in relation to years to the estimated disease onset (YECO) and in four groups of AD: asymptomatic mutation carriers (aAD, n = 19), prodromal, i.e., symptomatic mutation carriers, criteria for AD diagnosis not fulfilled (pAD, n = 4) and mutation carriers diagnosed with AD (dAD, n = 6) as well as mutation non-carriers from the AD families serving as a healthy comparison group (HC, n = 35). Cognition was assessed at baseline and follow-up about 3 years later by 12 tests covering six domains. The aAD and HC groups were comparable at baseline in demographic characteristics (age, gender, and education), when they were in their early forties, while the pAD and dAD groups were older and cognitively impaired. The results on mean ARC for the four groups were significantly different, small, positive, and age-insensitive in the HC group, while ARC was negative and declined with time/disease advancement in AD. The differences between HC and aAD groups in mean ARC and domain-specific ARC were not significant, indicating a subtle PE in aAD in the early preclinical stage of AD. In the symptomatic stages of AD, there was no PE probably due to cognitive disease-related progression. PEs were the largest in the verbal domain in both the HC and aAD groups, indicating a relationship with cognitive vulnerability. The group-related difference in mean ARC was predominant in timekeeping tests. To conclude, the practice effect in over 3 years was suggested to be linked to procedural learning and memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ove Almkvist
- Divisions of Clinical Geriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Psychology, Stockholm University, Stockholm, Sweden
- *Correspondence: Ove Almkvist
| | - Caroline Graff
- Theme Inflammation and Aging, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
- Divisions of Neurogeriatrics, Department of Neurobiology Care Sciences and Society, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Lim YY, Pase MP, Buckley RF, Yassi N, Bransby L, Fowler C, Laws SM, Masters CL, Maruff P. Visual Memory Deficits in Middle-Aged APOE ɛ4 Homozygotes Detected Using Unsupervised Cognitive Assessments. J Alzheimers Dis 2021; 79:1563-1573. [DOI: 10.3233/jad-201281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background: The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is associated with dose-response effects on cognitive dysfunction and dementia risk in older adults. However, its effects on cognition in middle-aged adults remains unclear. Objective: We examined effects of ɛ4 heterozygosity and homozygosity on objective and subjective cognition in middle-aged adults enrolled in the Healthy Brain Project (HBP) and in older adults from the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) study. Methods: HBP participants (1,000 non-carriers; 450 ɛ4 heterozygotes; 50 ɛ4 homozygotes) completed unsupervised assessments of the Cogstate Brief Battery (CBB), ratings of subjective cognitive function and provided a saliva sample. AIBL cognitively normal participants (650 non-carriers; 204 ɛ4 heterozygotes; 31 ɛ4 homozygotes) completed in-person assessments of the CBB, ratings of subjective cognitive function and provided a blood sample. Results: Greater memory impairment was observed in middle-aged ɛ4 homozygotes compared with ɛ4 heterozygotes and non-carriers. When data from middle-aged (HBP) and older (AIBL) adults were pooled, the effect of ɛ4 homozygosity and memory impairment increased with age. In both middle-aged and older adults, ɛ4 heterozygotes did not differ from non-carriers on any measure of objective or subjective cognition. Conclusion: Memory impairment in ɛ4 homozygotes is evident in adults aged 50-60 years, and this can be detected through unsupervised cognitive assessments. The effect of ɛ4 homozygosity increases with older age. APOE ɛ4 homozygosity has a negative impact on memory as early as midlife, but due to the subtle magnitude of effect, our findings support the necessity of online platforms in large cohorts to assess these complex relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Ying Lim
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Matthew P. Pase
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rachel F. Buckley
- Melbourne School of Psychological Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
- Center for Alzheimer Research and Treatment, Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Nawaf Yassi
- Department of Medicine and Neurology, Melbourne Brain Centre at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Population Health and Immunity Division, The Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lisa Bransby
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Christopher Fowler
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Simon M. Laws
- Collaborative Genomics and Translation Group, School of Medical and Health Sciences, Edith Cowan University, Joondalup, Western Australia, Australia
- School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, Curtin Health Innovation Research Institute, Curtin University, Bentley, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Colin L. Masters
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul Maruff
- Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Cogstate Ltd., Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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