A reliable, standardized general cognitive performance measure in NACC

 
   Lead Investigator:    Alden Gross
   Institution      :    Department of Epidemiology, JHSPH
   E-Mail           :    agross14@jhu.edu
   Proposal ID      :    226


   Publications:


1  Gross A, Sherva R, Mukherjee S, Newhouse S, Kauwe J, Munsie L, Waterston L, Bennett D, Jones R, Green R, Crane P, ADNI Collaborators, GENAROAD Collaborators,  ADGC Collaborators
   Calibrating longitudinal cognition in Alzheimer's disease across diverse test batteries and datasets
   Journal Article  Neuroepidemiology,43:194-205,2014,PMC4297570

   PUBLISHED



2  Gross A, Sherva R, Mukherjee S, Newhouse S, Waterston L, Zavitz K, Bennett D, Jones R, Crane P, Green R, ADNI, GENAROAD
   Calibration of a new approach for estimating general cognitive performance for GWAS of cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease
   Abstract  Alzheimers Dement,9:P697-698,2013,

   PUBLISHED



3  Gross AL, Mukherjee S, Sherva R, Newhouse S, Waterston LB, Jones RN, Green RC, Crane PK, ADNI Collaborators, GENAROAD Collaborators
   Calibrating Longitudinal Cognitive Performance Across Diverse Neuropsychological Batteries and Datasets
   Abstract  Alzheimers Dement,10:P746,2014,

   PUBLISHED





   Proposal Description:
   Cognitive function is fundamental to independent functioning and emotional well-being, but no standardized method of assessing level or change in cognition from a cognitive battery currently exists, complicating comparisons of findings across studies. A broad variety of neuropsychological tests are used to measure cognitive function. The proposed research will use rigorous, modern psychometric methods to test a previously developed composite measure of global cognitive performance (GCP) using the NACC Uniform Dataset. Estimates of GCP from NACC will be linked to a nationally representative sample of older adults, after which we will evaluate the GCP's measurement precision, criterion validity, and sensitivity to longitudinal change in NACC and then use the GCP to compare cognitive performance across NACC sites and demographic characteristics such as age and sex. The proposed research is significant because it will implement and validate an innovative tool for assessing general cognitive performance that we believe is reliable, precise, and sensitive to change across a broad range of cognitive function. This composite score will enable clinicians and epidemiologists to use data from neuropsychological tests to screen for cognitive impairment. Given interval instead of ordinal properties of the measure, we hypothesize it will be a viable measure for longitudinal studies of change and robust to cases in which different cognitive measures are used over time.  Specific Aim 1: To develop a measure of general cognitive performance (GCP) in NACC in a way that links NACC estimates to a nationally representative sample of older adults.  Specific Aim 2: To evaluate measurement precision, criterion validity, and sensitivity to change of the GCP in NACC.  Specific Aim 3: To use the GCP to compare mean cognitive performance across NACC sites and other studies, and to evaluate how the GCP varies by dementia-specific and demographic risk factors