A pilot study: Two different cognitive tests with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS)

Some people older than 65 years of age often show mild cognitive impairment (MCI). In order to evaluate cognitive function of older people two different Japanese Kana Picking-Out Tests (Random and Sentence Test) and REACTUS test were utilized. In addition, Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to measure localized cerebral blood flow. Seven older females, aged 61 to 82 (74.6 +/- 7.9), participated in the study. The subjects were clearly differentiated into three groups, and the two different tests matched each other well. Age negatively correlated with general scores and quickness of REACTUS test; whereas Japanese Kana Sentence Test promoted them. Japanese Kana Random Test seemed to correlate with perceptive tests. NIRS results showed that the Random Test seemed to indicate moderate increase in cerebral blood flow at Broca area and the Sentence Test both at Broca and Wernicke areas.