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Stanford Researchers: Slower Speed of
Thinking is Associated with Higher Risk of Memory Loss
Study Shows Connection Between presence of APOEe4 genetic marker, risk
of Alzheimer’s and results on Cognitive Testing
Washington, D.C. June 23, 2005 - Stanford University researchers
presented findings on early memory loss detection and how it relates to
the APOE e4 genetic marker, often associated with greater risk of
Alzheimer’s disease, at the Alzheimer’s Association International
Conference on Dementia in Washington, D.C.
The study utilized cognitive assessment technology developed by
Cognitive Labs to determine whether or not individuals with a genetic
marker that predisposes them to Alzheimer’s disease show indications of
cognitive deficits on traditional neuropsychological tests when
compared with the Cognitive Labs software battery.
Early Memory Loss, otherwise known as Mild Cognitive Impairment, can
affect people as early as their 30’s and 40’s, and other
high-functioning seniors in their late 50’s and 60’s. The detection of
early memory loss or other preclinical cognitive deficits is important
for identifying those at greatest risk for such disorders as
Alzheimer’s disease.
However, available neuropsychological measures may not be sufficiently
sensitive to preclinical cognitive impairment, particularly in high
functioning and younger older adults, nor are they easily available or
accessible to these populations in need.
This study utilized a battery of computerized cognitive tests from
Cognitive Labs designed to provide a more sensitive measure of
age-related cognitive performance by incorporating speed-of-processing
components.
OBJECTIVE: To compare performance on the Cognitive Labs battery and on
standard neuropsychological tests of 18 subjects with the
ε4 allele with that of 33 subjects without the
ε4 allele.
METHODS: Fifty-one community-dwelling older adults (18 subjects with
the ε4 allele and compared to that of 33 subjects without
the ε4 allele) were administered the Cognitive Labs
battery, which incorporates speed-of-processing components into
measures of verbal, spatial and working memory, attention, and
visuo-spatial ability. A brief battery of standard neuropsychological
measures including delayed recall and symbol digit and was also
administered.
With respect to the Cognitive Labs battery, individuals with the
ε4 allele were significantly slower in performing all the
cognitive tasks, with the exception of the visuo-spatial task. With
respect to performance, the two genotype groups did not differ
significantly except on immediate memory, with the ε4
group exhibiting increased errors. Overall, the ε4 group
was significantly slower in performing all of the Cognitive Labs memory
tasks. These findings provide continued support for the negative impact
of the ε4 allele on cognition and further suggest that
speed-of-processing measures may have the potential to detect subtle
cognitive deficits.
By making its services and solutions more widely available to a large
population via the Internet, Cognitive Labs is achieving two of its key
goals. The first (1) to enable individuals to enhance their
knowledge and capabilities in the areas of cognitive function; the
second (2) is building a global archive on memory loss and cognitive
function on an aggregate basis comprising a major repository of
statistical cognitive information using an open source methodology. All
who contribute impact the final shape of the global map.
This massive index is a snapshot of cognitive performance worldwide,
showing the effects of stimuli on individuals and populations, with
variations generated according to the user input and observed
results.
Commercial Relationship of Study participants: R. O'Hara, None; K.
Morgan, None; H.C. Kraemer, None; J. Yesavage, None; J. Taylor, None;
G. Murphy, None
Abstract Appeared on the Alzheimer's Association website - alz.org
Summer 2005
Study Contact:
Ruth O’Hara, Ph.D.
Stanford University
rohATstanford.edu
Michael Addicott, Ph.D.
Cognitive Labs
800 West El Camino Real, Suite 180
Mountain View, ca 94043
michaelATcognitivelabs.com
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