Validity and reliability of a "simplified" version of the Taylor Complex Figure Test for the assessment of older adults with low formal education / Validade e confiabilidade de uma versão "simplificada" da Figura Complexa de Taylor para a avaliação dos idosos com baixa escolaridade

Objective : The assessment of visuospatial abilities and memory using tasks such as the Taylor Complex Figure Task (TCFT) is biased for older adults with low formal education. We devised a "Simplified" version of the TCFT designed to assess older adults with low educational background and provide preliminary evidence of its psychometric properties. Methods : We evaluated a heterogeneous sample of healthy older adults and patients with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease dementia using the simplified TCFT and other neuropsychological measures. Results : Our results suggest that the test copy, immediate and delayed recall have high inter-rater agreement and internal consistency, significant correlations with other tests of visuospatial abilities, memory and intelligence, and also detected significant group differences between controls and patients. Conclusion : Our study presents a new measure for assessing low-educated elderly with promising evidence of validity and reliability.

Objetivo : A avaliação de habilidades visioespaciais e de memória por tarefas como a Figura Complexa Taylor (FCT) é enviesada para de idosos com baixa escolarização formal. Propomos uma versão "simplificada" da FCT (FCTs) projetada para a avaliação dos idosos com baixo nível educacional e apresentamos evidências preliminares de suas propriedades psicométricas. Métodos : Avaliamos uma amostra heterogênea de idosos saudáveis e pacientes com comprometimento cognitivo leve e demência por Doença de Alzheimer usando a FCTs e outras medidas neuropsicológicas. Resultados : Nossos resultados sugerem que a cópia de teste, a evocação imediata e a evocação tardia têm alta concordância entre avaliadores e elevada consistência interna, apresentam correlações significativas com outros testes de habilidades visioespaciais, memória e inteligência, além de documentarem diferenças significativas entre o grupo controles e os pacientes. Conclusão : Nosso estudo apresenta uma nova medida para a avaliação neuropsicológica de idosos com baixa escolaridade, com evidências promissoras de validade e confiabilidade.

The Effect of BF-7 on the Ischemia-induced Learning and Memory Deficits / 대한해부학회지

Abnormal blood supply to brain, such as ischemia induce neuronal damages, possibly leading to dementia. Such damages should be attenuated by neuroprotective materials which make neurons tolerable against limited blood supply or reinforce of blood. For the animal study, transient middle cerebral artery occlusion was operated with SD rat. To check whether BF-7 attenuated the ischemic damage, BF-7 (10 mg/kg) was oral treated for 7 days once a day. To evaluate the learning and memory of the rat, 8-arm maze test was conducted. For clinical study, Rey Complex Figure Test (RCFT) was used with control group (32 person), 200 mg treated group (33 person) and 400 mg treated group (34 person). Treatment of BF-7 greatly reduced the infarct size. Also the neuronal damages in the hippocampus were significantly diminished. Furthermore, The memory impairment by ischemia was recovered. The clinical test showed that BF-7 greatly enhanced the brain function recognizing and memorizing complex two dimensional figures. Our results implicated that BF-7 plays a positive roles on protecting brain and enhancing brain unction clinically.

Research for Difference between Neurodegenerative and Vascular Mild Cognitive Impairment with Neuropsychological Assessment / 中国临床心理学杂志

Objective: To analyze neuropsychological test identification of neurodegenerative (NMCI) and vascular (VMCI) subtypes of mild cognitive impairment. Methods: 94 normal elderly, 107 NMCI and 32 VMCI were evaluated by neuropsychological tests, such as mini mental state examination(MMSE), auditory verbal memory test (AVMT), Rey-Osterrich complex figure test (CFT), trailmaking test (TMT), Stroop Color Words Test (CWT), Verbal fluency test (VFT) and Clock Drawing Test (CDT). MMSE total score of 3 groups were 28.1?1.6, 26.9?1.8 and 26.2?1.7 , respectively. Results: There are similar global severity between NMCI and VMCI groups. VMCI group performed better than NMCI group in verbal delay memory rather than verbal short memory, or figure memory. Stroop interference effect and TMT interference effect of VMCI group were more powerful significantly than that of NMCI. VMCI group also generated fewer figure copy score on CFT. But there wasn't difference on VFT and CDT. Conclusion: These results suggest that decline in executive function is associated with cerebral vascular factors, and decline in episodic memory (such as verbal delay memory) is associated with neurodegenerative factors.

Application of Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test in Chinese Normal Old People / 中国临床心理学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the applicability, reliability and validity of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (CFT)in Chinese normal elderly. Methods: A total of 111 normal elderly were assessed by the CFT (Form A) and the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). Among these subjects, 40 were also administered the CFT (Form B), the Block Design and the Visual Reproduction tests. Results: No significant difference was found between CFT (Form A) and CFT (Form B) with respect to copy, delayed recall and recognition. Recall performance was related to copying strategy and level of organization. Details of accuracy and their respective placement were evaluated in both copy and delayed recall trials for CFT (Form A). Conclusion: As a measure for visual-spatial constructional ability and visual memory, the CFT (Form A & B) was assessed to be psychometrically reliable and valid to be used in normal Chinese elderly.