Testing cognitive function in elderly populations: the PROSPER study

Houx, P.J. et al. (2002) Testing cognitive function in elderly populations: the PROSPER study. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry, 73(4), pp. 385-389. (doi: 10.1136/jnnp.73.4.385)

Abstract

Objectives: For large scale follow up studies with non-demented patients in which cognition is an end-point, there is a need for short, inexpensive, sensitive, and reliable neuropsychological tests that are suitable for repeated measurements. The commonly used Mini-Mental-State-Examination fulfils only the first two requirements. Methods: In the PROspective Study of Pravastatin in the Elderly at Risk (PROSPER), 5804 elderly subjects aged 70 to 82 years were examined using a learning test (memory), a coding test (general speed), and a short version of the Stroop test (attention). Data presented here were collected at dual baseline, before randomisation for active treatment. Results: The tests proved to be reliable (with test/retest reliabilities ranging from acceptable (r=0.63) to high (r=0.88) and sensitive to detect small differences in subjects from different age categories. All tests showed significant practice effects: performance increased from the first measurement to the first follow up after two weeks. Conclusion: Normative data are provided that can be used for one time neuropsychological testing as well as for assessing individual and group change. Methods for analysing cognitive change are proposed.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Macfarlane, Professor Peter and Stott J, Professor David and Ford, Professor Ian and Gaw, Dr Allan and Cobbe, Professor Stuart
• Authors: Houx, P.J., Shepherd, J., Blauw, G.J., Murphy, M.B., Ford, I., Bollen, E.L., Buckley, B., Stott, D.J., Jukema, W., Hyland, M., Gaw, A., Norrie, J., Kamper, A.M., Perry, I.J., MacFarlane, P.W., Meinders, A.E., Sweeney, B.J., Packard, C.J., Twomey, C., and Cobbe, S.M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Robertson Centre; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry
• ISSN: 0022-3050