Lower practice effects as a marker of cognitive performance and dementia risk: A literature review. Issue 1 (9th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jutten, Roos J.; Grandoit, Evan; Foldi, Nancy S.; Sikkes, Sietske A. M.; Jones, Richard N.; Choi, Seo‐Eun; Lamar, Melissa L.; Louden, Diana K. N.; Rich, Joanne; Tommet, Douglas; Crane, Paul K.; Rabin, Laura A.
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 12:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2020-07-09
• Subjects: Alzheimer's disease -- cognition -- learning effects -- practice effects -- retest effects; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer's disease -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Diagnosis -- Periodicals; 616.831
• DOI: 10.1002/dad2.12055
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-8729

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Practice effects (PEs) are improvements in performance after repeated exposure to test materials, and typically viewed as a source of bias in repeated cognitive assessments. We aimed to determine whether characterizing PEs could also provide a useful marker of early cognitive decline. Methods: We conducted a systematic review of the literature, searching PsycInfo (Ebsco) and PubMed databases for articles studying PEs in aging and dementia populations. Articles published between 1920 and 2019 were included. Result: We identified 259 articles, of which 27 studied PEs as markers of cognitive performance. These studies consistently showed that smaller, less‐robust PEs were associated with current diagnostic status and/or future cognitive decline. In addition, lower PEs were associated with Alzheimer's disease risk factors and neurodegeneration biomarkers. Conclusion: PEs provide a potentially useful marker of cognitive decline, and could prove valuable as part of a cost‐effective strategy to select individuals who are at‐risk for dementia for future interventions.