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Zhu W, Zhou X, Ren M, Yin W, Tang Y, Yin J, Sun Y, Zhu X, Sun Z. Process approach as a cognitive biomarker related to gray matter volume in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease. BMC Neurol 2024; 24:199. [PMID: 38872077 PMCID: PMC11170873 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-024-03711-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/04/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Process approach is valuable for memory assessment in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), yet its underlying mechanisms remain elusive. This study aims to synergize the process approach with brain structure analysis to explore both the discriminative capacity and potential mechanisms underlying the process approach. METHODS 37 subjects of MCI, 35 subjects of AD and 38 subjects of healthy control (HC) were included. The process approach in Auditory Verbal Learning Test (AVLT), including discriminability (A'), response bias (B"D), semantic clustering (LBCsem) and serial clustering (LBCser) was performed. The gray matter volume (GMV) was analyzed by voxel-based morphometry. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis and partial correlations were conducted to explore the value of the process approach and investigate the relationship between the process approach, traditional indices of AVLT and GMV. RESULTS ROC analysis showed the value of A', B"D and LBCser in differentiating MCI and AD. Combining AVLT-Immediately Recall (AVLT-IR) and LBCser showed a higher value in diagnosing MCI. Partial correlations revealed that in the MCI group, A' and B"D were mainly positively associated with GMV of the hippocampus and temporal lobe. CONCLUSION This study indicated that the process approach is a promising cognitive biomarker to detect MCI and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenhao Zhu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Xia Zhou
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Mengmeng Ren
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Wenwen Yin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yating Tang
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Jiabin Yin
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Yue Sun
- Department of Neurology, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei, China
| | - Xiaoqun Zhu
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China
| | - Zhongwu Sun
- Department of Neurology, the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, 218 Jixi Road, Shushan District, Hefei, 230022, China.
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Ikanga J, Patrick SD, Schwinne M, Patel SS, Epenge E, Gikelekele G, Tshengele N, Kavugho I, Mampunza S, Yarasheski KE, Teunissen CE, Stringer A, Levey A, Rojas JC, Chan B, Lario Lago A, Kramer JH, Boxer AL, Jeromin A, Alonso A, Spencer RJ. Sensitivity of the African neuropsychology battery memory subtests and learning slopes in discriminating APOE 4 and amyloid pathology in adult individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1320727. [PMID: 38601333 PMCID: PMC11004441 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1320727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The current study examined the sensitivity of two memory subtests and their corresponding learning slope metrics derived from the African Neuropsychology Battery (ANB) to detect amyloid pathology and APOEε4 status in adults from Kinshasa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Methods 85 participants were classified for the presence of β-amyloid pathology and based on allelic presence of APOEε4 using Simoa. All participants were screened using CSID and AQ, underwent verbal and visuospatial memory testing from ANB, and provided blood samples for plasma Aβ42, Aβ40, and APOE proteotype. Pearson correlation, linear and logistic regression were conducted to compare amyloid pathology and APOEε4 status with derived learning scores, including initial learning, raw learning score, learning over trials, and learning ratio. Results Our sample included 35 amyloid positive and 44 amyloid negative individuals as well as 42 without and 39 with APOEε4. All ROC AUC ranges for the prediction of amyloid pathology based on learning scores were low, ranging between 0.56-0.70 (95% CI ranging from 0.44-0.82). The sensitivity of all the scores ranged between 54.3-88.6, with some learning metrics demonstrating good sensitivity. Regarding APOEε4 prediction, all AUC values ranged between 0.60-0.69, with all sensitivity measures ranging between 53.8-89.7. There were minimal differences in the AUC values across learning slope metrics, largely due to the lack of ceiling effects in this sample. Discussion This study demonstrates that some ANB memory subtests and learning slope metrics can discriminate those that are normal from those with amyloid pathology and those with and without APOEε4, consistent with findings reported in Western populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean Ikanga
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa and Catholic University of Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Sarah D. Patrick
- Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
| | - Megan Schwinne
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Saranya Sundaram Patel
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Emmanuel Epenge
- Department of Neurology, University of Kinshasa, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Guy Gikelekele
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa and Catholic University of Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Nathan Tshengele
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa and Catholic University of Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | | | - Samuel Mampunza
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, University of Kinshasa and Catholic University of Congo, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
| | | | - Charlotte E. Teunissen
- Neurochemistry Laboratory, Department of Clinical Chemistry, Amsterdam Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Anthony Stringer
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Allan Levey
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Julio C. Rojas
- Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Brandon Chan
- Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Argentina Lario Lago
- Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Joel H. Kramer
- Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Adam L. Boxer
- Department of Neurology, University of San Francisco, Memory and Aging Center, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | | | - Alvaro Alonso
- Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Robert J. Spencer
- Veteran Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, United States
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Boscarino JJ, Weitzner DS, Bailey EK, Kamper JE, Vanderbleek EN. Utility of learning ratio scores from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) Word List Memory Test in distinguishing patterns of cognitive decline in veterans referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Clin Neuropsychol 2024:1-13. [PMID: 38494420 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2024.2330144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Background: The Learning Ratio (LR) is a novel learning score that has shown improved utility over other learning metrics in detecting Alzheimer's disease (AD) across multiple memory tasks. However, its utility on the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease Word List Memory Test (CERAD WLMT), a widely used list learning measure sensitive to decline in neurodegenerative disease, is unknown. The goal of the current study was to determine the utility of LR on the CERAD WLMT in differentiating between diagnostic (MiNCD vs MaNCD) and etiologic groups (VaD vs AD) in a veteran sample. Methods: Raw learning slope (RLS) and LR scores were examined in 168 veterans diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder (MaNCD), mild neurocognitive disorder (MiNCD), or normal aging following neuropsychological evaluation. Patients with MaNCD were further classified by suspected etiology (i.e. microvascular disease vs AD). Results: Whereas RLS scores were not significantly different between MiNCD and MaNCD, LR scores were significantly different between all diagnostic groups (p's < .05). Those with AD had lower LR scores and RLS scores compared to those with VaD (p's < .05). LR classification accuracy was acceptable for MiNCD (AUC = .76), excellent for MaNCD (AUC = .86) and VaD (AUC = .81), and outstanding for AD (AUC = .91). Optimal cutoff scores for WLMT LR were derived from Youden's index. Conclusion: Results support the use of LR scores over RLS when interpreting the CERAD WLMT and highlight the clinical utility of LR in differentiating between diagnostic groups and identifying suspected etiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph J Boscarino
- Mental Health and Behavioral Service, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Daniel S Weitzner
- Mental Health and Behavioral Service, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Erin K Bailey
- Mental Health and Behavioral Service, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Joel E Kamper
- Mental Health and Behavioral Service, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
| | - Emily N Vanderbleek
- Mental Health and Behavioral Service, James A. Haley Veterans' Hospital, Tampa, Florida, USA
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Hammers DB, Nemes S, Diedrich T, Eloyan A, Kirby K, Aisen P, Kramer J, Nudelman K, Foroud T, Rumbaugh M, Atri A, Day GS, Duara R, Graff-Radford NR, Honig LS, Jones DT, Masdeu JC, Mendez MF, Musiek E, Onyike CU, Riddle M, Rogalski E, Salloway S, Sha SJ, Turner RS, Weintraub S, Wingo TS, Wolk DA, Wong B, Carrillo MC, Dickerson BC, Rabinovici GD, Apostolova LG. Learning slopes in early-onset Alzheimer's disease. Alzheimers Dement 2023; 19 Suppl 9:S19-S28. [PMID: 37243937 PMCID: PMC10806757 DOI: 10.1002/alz.13159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Investigation of learning slopes in early-onset dementias has been limited. The current study aimed to highlight the sensitivity of learning slopes to discriminate disease severity in cognitively normal participants and those diagnosed with early-onset dementia with and without β-amyloid positivity METHOD: Data from 310 participants in the Longitudinal Early-Onset Alzheimer's Disease Study (aged 41 to 65) were used to calculate learning slope metrics. Learning slopes among diagnostic groups were compared, and the relationships of slopes with standard memory measures were determined RESULTS: Worse learning slopes were associated with more severe disease states, even after controlling for demographics, total learning, and cognitive severity. A particular metric-the learning ratio (LR)-outperformed other learning slope calculations across analyses CONCLUSIONS: Learning slopes appear to be sensitive to early-onset dementias, even when controlling for the effect of total learning and cognitive severity. The LR may be the learning measure of choice for such analyses. HIGHLIGHTS Learning is impaired in amyloid-positive EOAD, beyond cognitive severity scores alone. Amyloid-positive EOAD participants perform worse on learning slopes than amyloid-negative participants. Learning ratio appears to be the learning metric of choice for EOAD participants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin B. Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Sára Nemes
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Taylor Diedrich
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Ani Eloyan
- Department of Biostatistics, Center for Statistical Sciences, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Kala Kirby
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Paul Aisen
- Alzheimer’s Therapeutic Research Institute, University of Southern California, San Diego, California, USA
| | - Joel Kramer
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kelly Nudelman
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Tatiana Foroud
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Malia Rumbaugh
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
| | - Alireza Atri
- Banner Sun Health Research Institute, Sun City, Arizona, USA
| | - Gregory S. Day
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Ranjan Duara
- Wien Center for Alzheimer’s Disease and Memory Disorders, Mount Sinai Medical Center, Miami, Florida, USA
| | | | - Lawrence S. Honig
- Taub Institute and Department of Neurology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York, USA
| | - David T. Jones
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
| | - Joseph C. Masdeu
- Nantz National Alzheimer Center, Houston Methodist and Weill Cornell Medicine, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Mario F. Mendez
- Department of Neurology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Erik Musiek
- Department of Neurology, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Chiadi U. Onyike
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Meghan Riddle
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Emily Rogalski
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Steve Salloway
- Department of Neurology, Alpert Medical School, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Sharon J. Sha
- Department of Neurology & Neurological Sciences, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California, USA
| | | | - Sandra Weintraub
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Thomas S. Wingo
- Department of Neurology and Human Genetics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
| | - David A. Wolk
- Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Bonnie Wong
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Maria C. Carrillo
- Medical & Scientific Relations Division, Alzheimer’s Association, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Bradford C. Dickerson
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Gil D. Rabinovici
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Liana G. Apostolova
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Center for Neuroimaging, Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Spencer RJ, Williams TF, Kordovski VM, Patrick SD, Lengu K, Gradwohl BD, Hammers DB. A quantitative review of competing learning slope metrics: effects of age, sex, and clinical diagnosis. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:744-757. [PMID: 38357915 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2024.2314741] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION In learning and memory tests that involve multiple presentations of the same material, learning slope refers to the degree to which examinees improve performances over successive learning trials. We aimed to quantitatively review the traditional raw learning slope (RLS), and the newly created learning ratio (LR) to understand the effects of demographic variables and clinical diagnoses on learning slope (e.g., limited improvement over multiple trials), and to develop demographically sensitive norms. METHOD A systematic literature search was conducted to evaluate the potential for these aims to be examined across the most popular contemporary multi-trial learning tests. Two databases were searched. Following this, hierarchical linear modeling was used to examine how demographic variables predict learning slope indices. These results were in turn used to contrast the performance of clinical groups with the predicted performance of demographically similar healthy controls. Finally, preliminary normative estimates for learning slope indices were presented. RESULTS A total of 82 studies met criteria for inclusion in this study. However, the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT) was the only test to have sufficient trial-level learning and demographic data. Fifty-eight samples from 19 studies were quantitatively examined. Hierarchical linear models provided evidence of sex differences and a curvilinear decline in learning slope with age, with strongest and most consistent effects for LR relative to RLS. Regression-based norms for demographically corrected RLS and LR scores for the RAVLT are presented. The effect of clinical diagnoses was consistently stronger for LR, and Alzheimer's disease had the strongest effect, followed by invalid performances, severe traumatic brain injury, and seizures/epilepsy. CONCLUSION Overall, LR enjoys both conceptual and demonstrated psychometric advantages over RLS. Replication of these findings can be completed by reanalyzing existing datasets. Further work may focus on the utility of using LR in diagnosis and prediction of clinical prognosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Spencer
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Trevor F Williams
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA
| | - Victoria M Kordovski
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Sarah D Patrick
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
| | - Ketrin Lengu
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, The MetroHealth System, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Brian D Gradwohl
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, MI, USA
- Trinity Health Hauenstein Neurosciences, Trinity Health, Muskegon, MI, USA
| | - Dustin B Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Hall MG, Wollman SC, Haines ME, Boyle MA, Richardson HK, Hammers DB. Novel learning ratio from the NAB list learning test distinguishes between clinical groups: clinical validation and sex-related differences. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2023; 45:715-726. [PMID: 37477412 DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2023.2236772] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023]
Abstract
List-learning tasks provide a wealth of information about an individual's cognitive abilities: attention, encoding, storage, retrieval, recognition. A more recently developed metric, the Learning Ratio (LR), supplements information about cognitive ability and can assist the clinician in determining whether an individual has cognitive impairment. The LR is calculated by taking the difference between the individuals' raw score on the first learning trial and their raw score on the last learning trial, which is then divided by the number of words left to be learned after the first learning trial. A LR derived from the list-learning task from the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) was evaluated to determine ability to distinguish those with normal cognition from those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. Results from the present study indicate the NAB LR is able to distinguish between clinical groups; recommended cutoffs for the NAB LR scores are provided. We also found a significant female sex-advantage for the NAB LR in those with normal memory ability and demonstrated the female sex advantage decreased with increasing memory impairment. Taken together, the NAB LR may assist clinicians in making an accurate and early diagnosis and may be helpful for tracking learning and functioning across multiple assessments. .
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew G Hall
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Mary E Haines
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | - Mellisa A Boyle
- University of Toledo Medical Center Rehabilitation Services, Toledo, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Dustin B Hammers
- Indiana University School of Medicine Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
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Hammers DB, Lin JH, Polsinelli AJ, Logan PE, Risacher SL, Schwarz AJ, Apostolova LG. Criterion Validation of Tau PET Staging Schemes in Relation to Cognitive Outcomes. J Alzheimers Dis 2023; 96:197-214. [PMID: 37742649 PMCID: PMC10825758 DOI: 10.3233/jad-230512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Utilization of NIA-AA Research Framework requires dichotomization of tau pathology. However, due to the novelty of tau-PET imaging, there is no consensus on methods to categorize scans into "positive" or "negative" (T+ or T-). In response, some tau topographical pathologic staging schemes have been developed. OBJECTIVE The aim of the current study is to establish criterion validity to support these recently-developed staging schemes. METHODS Tau-PET data from 465 participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (aged 55 to 90) were classified as T+ or T- using decision rules for the Temporal-Occipital Classification (TOC), Simplified TOC (STOC), and Lobar Classification (LC) tau pathologic schemes of Schwarz, and Chen staging scheme. Subsequent dichotomization was analyzed in comparison to memory and learning slope performances, and diagnostic accuracy using actuarial diagnostic methods. RESULTS Tau positivity was associated with worse cognitive performance across all staging schemes. Cognitive measures were nearly all categorized as having "fair" sensitivity at classifying tau status using TOC, STOC, and LC schemes. Results were comparable between Schwarz schemes, though ease of use and better data fit preferred the STOC and LC schemes. While some evidence was supportive for Chen's scheme, validity lagged behind others-likely due to elevated false positive rates. CONCLUSIONS Tau-PET staging schemes appear to be valuable for Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, tracking, and screening for clinical trials. Their validation provides support as options for tau pathologic dichotomization, as necessary for use of NIA-AA Research Framework. Future research should consider other staging schemes and validation with other outcome benchmarks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin B. Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Joshua H. Lin
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Paige E. Logan
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Shannon L. Risacher
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Adam J. Schwarz
- Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Takeda Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Cambridge, MA, USA
| | - Liana G. Apostolova
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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Hammers DB, Duff K, Spencer RJ. Demographically-corrected normative data for the RBANS learning ratio in a sample of older adults. Clin Neuropsychol 2022; 36:2221-2236. [PMID: 34313182 PMCID: PMC8792095 DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2021.1952308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND A novel learning slope score - the Learning Ratio (LR) - has recently been developed that appears to be sensitive to memory performance and AD pathology more optimally than traditional learning slope calculations. While promising, this research to date has been both experimental and based on group differences, and therefore does not aid in the interpretation of individual LR performance for either clinical or research settings. The objective of the current study was to develop demographically-corrected normative data on these LR learning slopes on verbal learning measures from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). METHOD The current study examined the influence of age and education on LR metrics for the List Learning, Story Memory, and an Aggregated RBANS score in 200 cognitively intact adults aged 65 or older using linear regression. RESULTS Age and education correlated with most LR metrics, but no sex differences were observed. Linear regression permitted the prediction of LR values from age and education, which are then compared to observed LR values. The result is demographically-corrected T scores for these LR metrics. CONCLUSIONS By comparing observed and predicted LR scores calculated from regression-based prediction equations, this represents the first step towards interpretation of individual performances on this metric for clinical decision making and treatment planning purposes. With future replication in diverse and heterogenous samples, we hope to offer a new clinical tool for the examination of learning slopes in older adults.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin B. Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Kevin Duff
- Center for Alzheimer’s Care, Imaging, and Research, Department of Neurology, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Robert J. Spencer
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor MI, USA
- Michigan Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Neuropsychology Section, Ann Arbor MI, USA
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Hammers DB, Spencer RJ, Apostolova LG. Validation of and Demographically Adjusted Normative Data for the Learning Ratio Derived from the RAVLT in Robustly Intact Older Adults. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2022; 37:981-993. [PMID: 35175287 PMCID: PMC9618160 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acac002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The learning ratio (LR) is a novel learning slope score that was developed to identify learning more accurately by considering the proportion of information learned after the first trial of a multi-trial learning task. Specifically, LR is the number of items learned after trial one divided by the number of items yet to be learned. Although research on LR has been promising, convergent validation, clinical characterization, and demographic norming of this LR metric are warranted to understand its clinical utility when derived from the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT). METHOD Data from 674 robustly cognitively intact older participants from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (aged 54- 89) were used to calculate the LR metric. Comparison of LR's relationship with standard memory measures was undertaken relative to other traditional learning slope metrics. In addition, retest reliability at 6, 12, and 24 months was examined, and demographically adjusted normative comparisons were developed. RESULTS Lower LR scores were associated with poorer performances on memory measures, and LR scores outperformed traditional learning slope calculations across all analyses. Retest reliability exceeded acceptability thresholds across time, and demographically adjusted normative equations suggested better performance for cognitively intact participants than those with mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS These results suggest that this LR score possesses sound retest reliability and can better reflect learning capacity than traditional learning slope calculations. With the added development and validation of regression-based normative comparisons, these findings support the use of the RAVLT LR as a clinical tool to inform clinical decision-making and treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dustin B Hammers
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Robert J Spencer
- Mental Health Service, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor MI, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Michigan Medicine, Neuropsychology Section, Ann Arbor MI, USA
| | - Liana G Apostolova
- Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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