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Introduction: Restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic necessitated remote administration of neuropsychological testing. We assessed the test-retest reliability for a telephone-administered cognitive battery, recommended for use in the National Institute on Aging Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC). Methods: 64 participants in the University of Southern California ADRC clinical core underwent repeat telephone evaluation using the T-cog Neuropsychological Battery. Reliability was measured by intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) for continuous variables and weighted Kappa coefficient for categorical variables. Mean scores for Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) total and Craft Story 21 Immediate and Delayed Recall were compared using paired t tests. Results: Mean age was 74.8 (8.3 standard deviation); 73.4% were female. ICCs ranged from 0.52 to 0.84, indicating moderate test-retest reliability except for number span backward, which showed poor reliability. Weighted Kappa for MoCA items ranged from -0.016 to 0.734; however, relatively good observed agreement was seen across all items (70.3% to 98.4%). Although MoCA total scores did not significantly change, Craft Story 21 Immediate and Delayed Recall mean scores increased between first and second administrations (P < 0.0001). Discussion: Test-retest reliability for the T-cog Neuropsychological Battery is adequate. The variation seen in testing is similar to results seen from face-to-face testing, with Craft Story 21 recall showing modest and expected practice effects. Highlights: Moderate test-retest reliability is seen in most measures of the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center Neuropsychological Test Battery and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).Intraclass correlation coefficients ranged from 0.52 to 0.84, except for number Span backward.Weighted Kappa for MoCA items varied, but good observed agreement was seen.MoCA total mean score did not change significantly between administrations.Craft Story 21 Immediate and Delayed Recall means increased on repeat testing (P < 0.0001).
RESUMO
As the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) increases worldwide, it is imperative to reflect on the major clinical trials in the prevention of dementia and the challenges that surround them. The pharmaceutical industry has focused on developing drugs that primarily affect the Aß cascade and tau proteinopathy, while academics have focused on repurposed therapeutics and multi-domain interventions for prevention studies. This paper highlights significant primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention trials for dementia and AD, overall design, methods, and systematic issues to better understand the current landscape of prevention trials. We included 32 pharmacologic intervention trials and 9 multi-domain trials. Fourteen could be considered primary prevention, and 18 secondary or tertiary prevention trials. Major categories were Aß vaccines, Aß antibodies, tau antibodies, anti-inflammatories, sex hormones, and Ginkgo biloba extract. The 9 multi-domain studies mainly focused on lifestyle modifications such as blood pressure management, socialization, and physical activity. The lack of validated drug targets, and the complexity of the diagnostic frameworks, eligibility criteria, and outcome measurements for trials, make it difficult to show efficacy for both pharmacological and multi-domain interventions. We hope that this summative analysis of trials will stimulate discussion for scientists and clinicians interested in reviewing and developing preventative interventions for AD.
