Performance Variability During a Multitrial List-Learning Task as a Predictor of Future Cognitive Decline in Healthy Elders

Authors

Michael Sugarman, Wayne State University
John L. Woodard, Wayne State UniversityFollow
Kristy A. Nielson, Marquette UniversityFollow
J. Carson Smith, University of Maryland - College ParkFollow
Michael Seidenberg, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and ScienceFollow
Sally Durgerian, Medical College of WisconsinFollow
Andria L. Norman, Wayne State University
Nathan Hantke, Marquette UniversityFollow
Stephen M. Rao, Cleveland ClinicFollow

Document Type

Article

Language

eng

Format of Original

8 p.

Publication Date

4-2014

Publisher

Taylor & Francis

Source Publication

Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology

Source ISSN

1380-3395

Original Item ID

doi: 10.1080/13803395.2013.877875; PubMed Central: PMCID 3979935

Abstract

Introduction: In clinical settings, neuropsychological test performance is traditionally evaluated with total summary scores (TSS). However, recent studies demonstrated that indices of intraindividual variability (IIV) yielded unique information complementing TSS. This 18-month longitudinal study sought to determine whether IIV indices derived from a multitrial list-learning test (the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) provided incremental utility in predicting cognitive decline in older adults compared to TSS. Method: Ninety-nine cognitively intact older adults (aged 65 to 89 years) underwent neuropsychological testing (including the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test) at baseline and 18-month follow-up. Participants were classified as cognitively stable (n = 65) or declining (n = 34) based on changes in their neuropsychological test performance. Logistic regression modeling tested the ability of baseline TSS indices (sum of Trials 1–5, immediate recall, and delayed recall) and IIV indices (lost access and gained access) to discriminate between stable and declining individuals. Results: Higher values of both lost access and gained access at baseline were associated with an increased risk for decline at 18-month follow-up. Further, the IIV indices provided predictive utility above and beyond the TSS indices. Conclusion: These results highlight the value of analyzing IIV in addition to TSS during neuropsychological evaluation in older adults. High levels of IIV may reflect impairment in anterograde memory systems and/or executive dysfunction that may serve as a prognostic indicator of cognitive decline.

Comments

Accepted Version. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology, Vol. 36, No. 3 (2014): 236-243. DOI. © 2014 Taylor & Francis (Routledge). Used with permission.

Recommended Citation

Sugarman, Michael; Woodard, John L.; Nielson, Kristy A.; Smith, J. Carson; Seidenberg, Michael; Durgerian, Sally; Norman, Andria L.; Hantke, Nathan; and Rao, Stephen M., "Performance Variability During a Multitrial List-Learning Task as a Predictor of Future Cognitive Decline in Healthy Elders" (2014). Psychology Faculty Research and Publications. 128.
https://epublications.marquette.edu/psych_fac/128