Computerized diagnostic tool shows promise for early detection of cognitive impairment

A computerized diagnostic tool was able to distinguish patients with normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment and dementia and may be useful in detecting early signs of cognitive impairment, according to a study published in JMIR Aging.

“Current rates of undetected dementia are reported to be as high as 61.7%, and available treatments are limited to promoting quality of life rather than reversal or cure of the disease process,” Siao Ye, a graduate student in the department of biosciences at Rice University, and colleagues wrote. “The ability to properly identify and treat dementia at this scale requires an active approach focused on early identification.”

Ye and fellow researchers sought to evaluate BrainCheck, a computerized cognitive testing battery available on mobile devices, for diagnostic accuracy and the ability to distinguish severity of cognitive impairment.

They conducted an instrument validation study and included 99 participants, who were recruited from a registry maintained by the Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center, an affiliation of the University of Washington Medicine Memory and Brain Wellness Center.

Each enrollee, who had been diagnosed with dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or normal cognition (NC), was required to have access to an iPad or other touchscreen device with Wi-Fi connectivity, in order to complete the BrainCheck cognitive battery.

Researchers collected data from on-site test administration from October 2019 to February 2020, and resumed data collection remotely, via video call with a test moderator, from April to May 2020, due to COVID-19 restrictions in Washington state.

Each of the five BrainCheck assessments was scored and averaged to calculate the BrainCheck Overall Score, which represents general cognitive functioning. All of the scores were normalized for participant age and device used, with lower scores indicating lower assessment performance and cognitive functioning. Statistical analyses compared participant performances based on their specific diagnostic group.

According to study results, BrainCheck performance recognized significant differences between NC, MCI and dementia groups, achieving 88% or higher sensitivity and specificity in separating dementia from NC, and 77% or higher sensitivity and specificity in separating MCI from NC and dementia groups. Three-group classification found true positive rates of 80% for the NC group, 81% for the dementia group and 64% for the MCI group.

In a related press release, Reza Hosseini Ghomi, MD, principal investigator and chief medical officer at BrainCheck, said, “The findings from this latest study, published in JMIR Aging, are a major step forward for dementia diagnosis and treatment. BrainCheck is committed to transforming the approach to cognitive care.”

Reference:

• Peer-reviewed study validates BrainCheck’s digital cognitive test, signaling breakthrough for future dementia diagnosis. Published April 21, 2022. Accessed April 27, 2022.