The test battery encompassed MMSE, digital span test, word recognition memory test, digit symbol substitution test, trail making test A, stroop color word interference (part 3) and verbal fluency test, which primarily focused on learning, memory, attention, concentration and executive function.
Cognitive test results at the baseline examination, especially Block Design test, Digit Symbol Substitution test and Benton Visual Retention Test, had significantly lower scores in the deceased group compared to the survivors (Table 1).
Two studies identified significant differences between groups in completion time for the colour-naming task of the colour-word interference test, digit symbol coding, part A of the Trail Making Test (TMT-A) and grooved pegboard; on the contrary, two other studies found no significant difference between FEM and HC participants in colour or word naming (Stroop), digit symbol coding and TMT-A.
Cognitive functions (memory, attention, and processing speed) were evaluated by neuropsychological tests: word-list learning test, digit symbol substitution test (DSST), word fluency test, and Stroop Test.
At the time of FP-CIT SPECT imaging, all CBS patients underwent full neuropsychological evaluation using the following scales: the mini mental state examination (MMSE) [24], the Corsi block tapping test, digit span, story recall, frontal assessment battery (FAB) [25], attentional matrices, verbal fluencies using category and phonemic cues (1-minute), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) [26].
POCD was tested by trail making test, digit symbol substitution test, Ray's auditorial verbal learning test, digit span test and verbal fluency test the day before and 5 days after surgery.
The results of all the cognitive tests (Digit Span Test, TMT A, TMT B, WCST: percentage of errors, percentage of perseverative responses, completed categories, percentage of conceptual responses) were lower in both manic and depressive patients compared to healthy subjects while no difference between depressive and manic patients was found.
Cognitive tests (Digit Symbol Substitution Test [DSST], Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test, Stroop Test, and Mini Mental Status Examination) were conducted at baseline and 20 months.
Subjects with CHF were asked to repeat the 6-minute walk test and all participants to perform the following cognitive tests: Digit Span, Digit Symbol Test, Letter Cancellation Test, and Trail Making Test A and B. Six subjects were reassessed with SPECT using the same procedure described for the baseline assessment.
A battery of cognitive tests was administered including Clock Tests, Block Design, Trail Making Tests (TMT), Digit Span, and tests of verbal fluency.
Attention and concentration are assessed by the serial sevens test (or alternatively by spelling a five-letter word backwards), and by testing digit span.
