Current Issues in Cognitive Testing of Older Adults

A special issue of Geriatrics (ISSN 2308-3417).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 January 2026 | Viewed by 3163

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
College of Nursing, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL, USA
Interests: cognition and physical functioning; driving; sensors; care transitions and diversity issues

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Guest Editor
Department of Psychology, College of Science, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA
Interests: cross-cultural neuropsychology; bilingualism and cognitive reserve; cognition and driving

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Current advances in the detection of subtle changes in cognition, increased use of biomarkers indicating impending cognitive decline, and movement of cognitive tests from paper and pencil to electronic versions have altered the landscape of neuropsychological testing of older adults. The fairness of using tests developed in populations other than the ones being tested continues to be a concern. Norms for those of very advanced age (90+) or for diverse populations are not available. The advantages of being computer literate, self-testing as a screening tool, use of tests by untrained auxiliary staff, participant rehearsal of tests in longitudinal studies, and even the effect of a poor score on the revocation of driving and other privileges need further examination and subsequent dissemination of the results not just to a research audience but also to clinicians who are using them.

Prof. Dr. Ruth Marchand Tappen
Prof. Dr. Mónica Rosselli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • neuropsychological testing
  • culture bias in cognitive testing
  • computer-based cognitive testing
  • computer literacy in older adults
  • rehearsal effect in longitudinal studies
  • bilingualism
  • need for additional norms
  • fairness in testing
  • detection and interpretation of subtle cognitive changes
  • new approaches for early detection

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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13 pages, 1124 KB  
Article
Oculometric Assessment of Sensorimotor Impairment Associated with Liver Disease Is as Sensitive as Standard of Care Cognitive Tests
by Dorion Liston, Katherine Wong, Aaron Yeoh, Shalonda Haywood, Aparna Goel, Paul Kwo, Quinn Kennedy and Philip N. Okafor
Geriatrics 2025, 10(4), 112; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics10040112 - 19 Aug 2025
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Abstract
Significance: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) occurs in 20–80% of patients with liver cirrhosis, impacting attention, memory, processing speed, and visuospatial skills. HE standard-of-care psychometric assessments are time-consuming and require staff training. Oculometrics may provide a fast, non-invasive brain health assessment that can be self-administered [...] Read more.
Significance: Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) occurs in 20–80% of patients with liver cirrhosis, impacting attention, memory, processing speed, and visuospatial skills. HE standard-of-care psychometric assessments are time-consuming and require staff training. Oculometrics may provide a fast, non-invasive brain health assessment that can be self-administered in a medical environment. Purpose: We investigated whether an oculometric assessment could measure the severity of HE as accurately as standard-of-care psychometric methods. Methods: Forty-eight participants (19 with decompensated cirrhosis, 10 with compensated cirrhosis, 19 controls) completed a previously validated five-minute oculometric test and the standard-of-care psychometric hepatic encephalopathy (PHE) battery. The oculometric test consists of following a dot as it moves across a computer screen and generates 10 metrics including a summary score called nFit. The PHE battery entails five standard cognitive tests, generating seven metrics including a PHE composite score (PHES). Results: The oculometric summary score, nFit, correlated with the current diagnostic standard, the PHES (r = 0.51, p < 0.001), the presence or absence of HE as determined by PHES composite (r = −0.44, p < 0.001), as well as the severity of cirrhosis (r = −0.59, p < 0.001). Additionally, performance on both nFit and PHES distinguished compensated (ROC: nFit: 0.71, PHES: 0.68) and decompensated (ROC: nFit: 0.88, PHES: 0.85) patient groups from control participants comparably. Finally, compared to participants with decompensated cirrhosis, control participants had better scores for almost all oculometrics: acceleration, catch-up saccade amplitude, proportion smooth, direction noise, and speed noise. Conclusions: Patients with liver disease showed impairment on multiple aspects of visual processing compared to a control group. These functional visual processing impairments correlate with the presence or absence of HE, showing significant sensitivity in distinguishing people with HE from controls. Oculometric tests provide a quick, non-invasive functional assessment of brain health in patients with liver disease, with sensitivity indistinguishable from standard-of-case psychometric tests. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Issues in Cognitive Testing of Older Adults)
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14 pages, 924 KB  
Systematic Review
A Systematic Review on Subjective Cognitive Complaints: Main Neurocognitive Domains, Myriad Assessment Tools, and New Approaches for Early Detection
by Felipe Webster-Cordero and Lydia Giménez-Llort
Geriatrics 2025, 10(3), 65; https://doi.org/10.3390/geriatrics10030065 - 9 May 2025
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2003
Abstract
Background/Objectives: Neuropsychological testing is key in defining cognitive profiles at early stages of dementia. More importantly, the detection of subtle cognitive changes, such as subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), an understudied phenomenon, is critical for early detection and preventive interventions. Methods: This systematic review [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: Neuropsychological testing is key in defining cognitive profiles at early stages of dementia. More importantly, the detection of subtle cognitive changes, such as subjective cognitive complaints (SCCs), an understudied phenomenon, is critical for early detection and preventive interventions. Methods: This systematic review analyzes the empirical data on the cognitive domains and neuropsychological tests used in studies addressing SCC in the last 15 years (2009–2024). Results: A selection of 15 papers with exploratory, cross-sectional, and prospective scope in this field was obtained from PubMed and Embase databases. They used screening tests (17%) and a broad spectrum of neurocognitive domains. Yet, we identified three main targeted cognitive domains: executive functions (28%), language (17%), and memory (17%). Myriad assessment tools were also applied, but the most commonly used was a set of eight tests: Mini-mental Scale Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test (A-B), Stroop test, Digit span test (DST), Semantic and Phonological fluency test, Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test (RAVLT), Weschler Memory Scale (WMS), and Boston Naming Test (BNT). New approaches involved including the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and self/informant reports. Conclusions: Despite scarce agreement in the assessment protocols, the identification of early neurocognitive symptoms to objectivate the SCC phenomenon envisions a broad field of research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Current Issues in Cognitive Testing of Older Adults)
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