The need of neuropsychological assessment in daily care of patients without dementia

Aim of the study: The prevalence of cognitive impairment increases with age and features lesions observed in Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, Parkinson's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. The aim of the study was to determine whether individuals without diagnosed dementia are affected by any reduction of cognitive functioning and to what extent such reduction occurs. Material and methods: The study enrolled 156 individuals, including 110 aged <75 years and 46 aged >= 75 years. Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery was used in assessment of Motor Screening Task (Mean Latency and Mean Errors), Paired Associated Learning (Total Errors and Errors Shapes), Stocking of Cambridge (Mean Initial Thinking Time, Mean Subsequent Thinking Time, Problems Solved in Minimum Moves) and Graded Naming Test. Individuals who aborted tests were categorized as below the reference threshold. Results: Prevalence of results below the reference threshold were as follows: 8.97% in Motor Screening Task - Mean Latency, 57% in Paired Associated Learning Total Errors, 57% in Paired Associated Learning - Errors Shapes, 30% in Stocking of Cambridge - Mean Initial Thinking Time, 28% in Stocking of Cambridge - Mean Subsequent Thinking Time, 57% in Stocking of Cambridge - Problems Solved in Minimum Moves and 32% in Graded Naming Test. The results of Motor Screening Task were above the threshold. Motor Screening Task - Mean Error was higher in the +75 group (p < 0.001), whereas the Motor Screening Task - Mean Latency did not differ between the groups. Also Paired Associated Learning outcomes were higher in the +75 group (p = 0.01). Graded Naming Test and Stocking of Cambridge - Mean Subsequent Thinking Time were lowered in the +75 group (p = 0.01), whereas other Stocking of Cambridge tests did not differ. The age >= 75 years was associated with 2.3 times higher risk of decreased Stocking of Cambridge - Mean Initial Thinking Time, 2.7 times higher risk of decreased Stocking of Cambridge - Mean Subsequent Thinking Time and 3.3 times higher risk of decreased Graded Naming Test. Conclusions: The link between cognitive functions and the age, despite the lack of diagnosis of dementia, confirms the need of neuropsychological assessment in patients without dementia.