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Discrepancy-Based Evidence for Loss of Thinking Abilities (DELTA): Development and Validation of a Novel Approach to Identifying Cognitive Changes

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 December 2019

Breton M. Asken Open the ORCID record for Breton M. Asken [Opens in a new window] ,
Kelsey R. Thomas Open the ORCID record for Kelsey R. Thomas [Opens in a new window] ,
Athene Lee Open the ORCID record for Athene Lee [Opens in a new window] ,
Jennifer D. Davis ,
Paul F. Malloy ,
Stephen P. Salloway ,
Stephen Correia  and
for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Breton M. Asken*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL32610, USA
Kelsey R. Thomas
Affiliation:
Research Service, Veterans Affairs San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA92161, USA Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, La Jolla, CA92093, USA
Athene Lee
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Butler Hospital, Memory and Aging Program, Providence, RI02906, USA
Jennifer D. Davis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Department of Psychiatry, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, RI02905, USA
Paul F. Malloy
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Butler Hospital, Memory and Aging Program, Providence, RI02906, USA
Stephen P. Salloway
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Butler Hospital, Memory and Aging Program, Providence, RI02906, USA
Stephen Correia
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Mental Health and Behavioral Science Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI02908, USA
for the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI02906, USA Mental Health and Behavioral Science Service, Providence VA Medical Center, Providence, RI02908, USA
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Breton M. Asken, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, University of Florida, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, Box G-BH, Division of Clinical Psychology, Providence, RI 02912, USA. Tel: +1 401 444 1929; Fax: +1 401 444 1911. E-mail: basken8@phhp.ufl.edu
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Abstract

Objective:

To develop and validate the Discrepancy-based Evidence for Loss of Thinking Abilities (DELTA) score. The DELTA score characterizes the strength of evidence for cognitive decline on a continuous spectrum using well-established psychometric principles for improving detection of cognitive changes.

Methods:

DELTA score development used neuropsychological test scores from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) cohort (two tests each from Memory, Executive Function, and Language domains). We derived regression-based normative reference scores using age, gender, years of education, and word-reading ability from robust cognitively normal ADNI participants. Discrepancies between predicted and observed scores were used for calculating the DELTA score (range 0–15). We validated DELTA scores primarily against longitudinal Clinical Dementia Rating-Sum of Boxes (CDR-SOB) and Functional Activities Questionnaire (FAQ) scores (baseline assessment through Year 3) using linear mixed models and secondarily against cross-sectional Alzheimer’s biomarkers.

Results:

There were 1359 ADNI participants with calculable baseline DELTA scores (age 73.7 ± 7.1 years, 55.4% female, 100% white/Caucasian). Higher baseline DELTA scores (stronger evidence of cognitive decline) predicted higher baseline CDR-SOB (ΔR2 = .318) and faster rates of CDR-SOB increase over time (ΔR2 = .209). Longitudinal changes in DELTA scores tracked closely and in the same direction as CDR-SOB scores (fixed and random effects of mean + mean-centered DELTA, ΔR2 > .7). Results were similar for FAQ scores. High DELTA scores predicted higher PET-Aβ SUVr (ρ = 324), higher CSF-pTau/CSF-Aβ ratio (ρ = .460), and demonstrated PPV > .9 for positive Alzheimer’s disease biomarker classification.

Conclusions:

Data support initial development and validation of the DELTA score through its associations with longitudinal functional changes and Alzheimer’s biomarkers. We provide several considerations for future research and include an automated scoring program for clinical use.

Keywords

DELTAAssessmentCognitive declinePsychometricsADNIBase rate
Type
Regular Research
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 26 , Issue 5 , May 2020 , pp. 464 - 479
Copyright
Copyright © INS. Published by Cambridge University Press, 2019

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Footnotes

†

Data used in preparation of this article were obtained from the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database (adni.loni.usc.edu). As such, investigatorswithintheADNIcontributedtothedesignandimplementationofADNIand/orprovideddatabutdidnotparticipateinanalysisorwritingofthisreport. A complete listing of ADNI investigators can be found at: http://adni.loni.usc.edu/wp-content/uploads/how_to_apply/ADNI_Acknowledgement_List.pdf.

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