Regenerative Endodontics by Cell Homing: A Review of Recent Clinical trials.

INTRODUCTION: The conventional treatment for irreversibly inflamed or necrotic teeth is root canal treatment or apexification. Regenerative endodontics aims to regenerate the damaged "pulp-like" tissue, which can preserve the teeth' vitality and sensitivity while avoiding necrosis. The main clinical benefit is root maturation. The "pulp-like" tissue does not refer to regenerated pulp tissue with an odontoblastic layer or the formation of pulp-dentin complexes. The cell homing technique is built on endogenous stem cells and their capacity to regenerate tissue. Cell homing refers to endogenous cells' migration or infiltration into the cite when stimulated by physiochemical or biological stimuli or by passive flow with a blood clot from the apical tissue. Its Regenerative Endodontic Procedures success criteria are defined by the American Association of Endodontists. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of vital pulp tissue and various strategies to promote regeneration of damaged pulp tissue. The cell homing technique will be reviewed through clinical trials. METHODS: We performed a comprehensive literature review on a total of nine clinical trials of regenerative endodontics using the cell-homing technique based on three databases and duplicate manuscripts were removed. RESULTS: Regenerative endodontics using the cell-homing technique shows promising results that can be translated into clinical practice. However, a favorable result was observed in immature teeth, and the results are contradictory in mature teeth. CONCLUSION: Regeneration therapy is an attractive new alternative to conventional endodontic treatments. Preservation of vitality and continuation of root development in damaged teeth would be a clear advantage.

Reliability and validity of a quick test of cognitive speed (AQT) in screening for mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

BACKGROUND: Cognitive disorders are one of the important issues in old age. There are many cognitive tests, but some variables affect their results (e.g., age and education). This study aimed to evaluate the reliability and validity of A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) in screening for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia. METHODS: This is a psychometric properties study. 115 older adults participated in the study and were divided into three groups (46 with MCI, 24 with dementia, and 45 control) based on the diagnosis of two geriatric psychiatrists. Participants were assessed by AQT and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Data were analyzed using Pearson correlation, independent t-test, and ROC curve by SPSS v.23. RESULTS: There was no significant correlation between AQT subscales and age and no significant difference between the AQT subscales in sex, educational levels. The test-retest correlations ranges were 0.84 from 097. Concurrent validity was significant between MMSE and AQT. Its correlation was with Color - 0.78, Form - 0.71, and Color-Form - 0.72. The cut-off point for Color was 43.50 s, Form 52 s, and Color-Form 89 s were based on sensitivity and specificity for differentiating older patients with MCI with controls. The cut-off point for Color was 62.50 s, for Form 111 s, and Color-Form 197.50 s based on sensitivity and specificity measures for differentiating older patients with dementia and MCI. CONCLUSION: The findings showed that AQT is a suitable tool for screening cognitive function in older adults.

Differentiating depression and ADHD without depression in adults with processing-speed measures.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated processing-speed and shift-cost measures in adults with depression or attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and monitored the effects of treatment. We hypothesised that cognitive-speed and shift-cost measures might differentiate diagnostic groups. METHODS: Colour, form, and colour-form stimuli were used to measure naming times. The shift costs were calculated as colour-form-naming time minus the sum of colour- and form-naming times. Measurements were done at baseline and end point for 42 adults with depression and 42 with ADHD without depression. Patients with depression were treated with transcranial pulsed electromagnetic fields and patients with ADHD with methylphenidate immediate release. RESULTS: During depression treatment, reductions in naming times were recorded weekly. One-way analysis of variance indicated statistical between-group differences, with effect sizes in the medium range for form and colour-form. In both groups, naming times were longer before than after treatment. For the ADHD group, shift costs exceeded the average-normal range at baseline but were in the average-normal range after stabilisation with stimulant medication. For the depression group, shift costs were in the average-normal range at baseline and after treatment. Baseline colour-form-naming times predicted reductions in naming times for both groups, with the largest effect size and index of forecasting efficiency for the ADHD group. CONCLUSIONS: The cognitive-processing-speed (colour-form) and shift-cost measures before treatment proved most sensitive in differentiating patients with depression and ADHD. Reductions in naming times for the depression group were suggested to reflect improved psychomotor skills rather than improved cognitive control.

Methylphenidate effects on processing speed in a clinical sample of adults with ADHD and substance use disorder: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are common comorbidities of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The most commonly prescribed medication for ADHD is methylphenidate. The clinical response to methylphenidate may be monitored against DSM-5 symptomatology, rating scales or interviews. AIMS: To evaluate the use of perceptual and cognitive processing speed measures to monitor methylphenidate effects in adults with ADHD and SUD. METHODS: A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) monitored perceptual and cognitive processing speed in 28 adults with ADHD and SUD on treatment with methylphenidate before and after the morning dose. RESULTS: Twenty-six patients responded on AQT after the morning dose of methylphenidate. One-way ANOVA indicated significant treatment effects for color, form, and color-form combination naming, but not for shift cost values. Before the morning dose of methylphenidate, 92% were identified by cutoff time criteria for longer-than-normal processing times. After the morning dose of methylphenidate, 65% obtained color and form measures in the normal range for age peers. Only 35% obtained color-form processing measures in the normal range. Inter-individual response variability before medication intake was considerably larger than previously reported in studies of adults with ADHD only. CONCLUSION: Proportionally, fewer adults with ADHD and SUD exhibited normalization of processing speed than previously observed for adults with ADHD without SUD. A potential clinical implication of the present study is that the AQT test may be used as a tool for dose-adjustment of central stimulants in the treatment of adults with ADHD and SUD.

Processing speed can monitor stimulant-medication effects in adults with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity.

BACKGROUND: Treatment responses to methylphenidate by adults with ADHD are generally monitored against DSM-IV/DSM-V symptomatology, rating scales or interviews during reviews. AIMS: To evaluate the use of single- and dual-dimension processing-speed and efficiency measures to monitor the effects of pharmacological treatment with methylphenidate after a short period off medication. METHODS: A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) monitored the effects of immediate-release methylphenidate in 40 previously diagnosed and medicated adults with ADHD. Processing speed was evaluated with prior prescription medication, without medication after a 2-day period off ADHD medication, and with low-dose (10/20 mg) and high-dose (20/40 mg) methylphenidate hydrochloride (Medikinet IR). RESULTS: Thirty-three participants responded to the experimental treatments. One-way ANOVA with post-hoc analysis (Scheffe) indicated significant main effects for single dimension colour and form and dual-dimension colour-form naming. Post-hoc analysis indicated statistical differences between the no- and high-dose medication conditions for colour and form, measures of perceptual speed. For colour-form naming, a measure of cognitive speed, there was a significant difference between no- and low-dose medication and between no- and high-dose medications, but not between low- and high-dose medications. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that the AQT tests effectively monitored incremental effects of the methylphenidate dose on processing speed after a 2-day period off medication. Thus, perceptual (colour and form) and cognitive speed (two-dimensional colour-form naming) and processing efficiency (lowered shift costs) increased measurably with high-dose medication. These preliminary findings warrant validation with added measures of associated behavioural and cognitive changes.

Variation in Lateral Plate Quality in Threespine Stickleback from Fresh, Brackish and Marine Water: A Micro-Computed Tomography Study.

INTRODUCTION: It is important to understand the drivers leading to adaptive phenotypic diversity within and among species. The threespine stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) has become a model system for investigating the genetic and phenotypic responses during repeated colonization of fresh waters from the original marine habitat. During the freshwater colonization process there has been a recurrent and parallel reduction in the number of lateral bone plates, making it a suitable system for studying adaptability and parallel evolution. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate an alternative evolutionary path of lateral plate reduction, where lateral plates are reduced in size rather than number. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 72 threespine stickleback individuals from freshwater (n = 54), brackish water (n = 27) and marine water (n = 9) were analysed using microcomputed tomography (µCT) to determine variation in size, thickness and structure of the lateral plates. Furthermore, whole-body bone volume, and bone volume, bone surface and porosity of lateral plate number 4 were quantified in all specimens from each environment. RESULTS: The results showed a significant difference in plate size (area and volume) among populations, where threespine stickleback from polymorphic freshwater and brackish water populations displayed lateral plates reduced in size (area and volume) compared to marine stickleback. CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of lateral plates in threespine stickleback in fresh and brackish water occurs by both plate loss and reduction in plate size (area and volume).

Stroop interference and AQT cognitive speed may play complementary roles in differentiating dementias with frontal and posterior lesions.

Forty neurotypical adults (ages 65-74) were administered three different assessments, as follows: Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT), and Stroop Color and Word Test. Correlation coefficients (Pearson r) indicated a significant but moderate association between MoCA scores and AQT dual-dimension processing speed (p < 0.01). AQT color and color-form combination naming correlated significantly with Stroop Color, Word, and Color-Word t-scores, and the observed statistical power was high. Form naming correlated significantly with Stroop Word and Color-Word measures (p < 0.01). The associations between the AQT color, form, and color-form combination and Stroop interference measures were low and non-significant (p > 0.01). Based on evidence of frontal lobe control of inhibition (Stroop) and bilateral temporal-parietal control of dual-dimension processing speed (AQT), results suggest that the AQT dual-dimension processing-speed and Stroop interference tests may complement each other in differentiating dementias associated with frontal and posterior lesions.

A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed: norm-referenced criteria for 121 Italian adults aged 45 to 90 years.

ABSTRACT Background: A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) is a brief test that can identify cognitive impairment. AQT has been validated in Arabic, English, Greek, Japanese, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish. The aim of this study was to develop Italian criterion-referenced norms for AQT. Methods: AQT consists of three test plates where the patient shall rapidly name (1) the color of 40 blue, red, yellow, or black squares (AQT color), (2) the form of 40 black figures (circles, squares, triangles, or rectangles; AQT form), (3) the color and form of 40 figures (consisting of previous colors and forms; AQT color-form). The AQT test was administered to 121 Italian cognitively healthy primary care patients (age range: 45-90 years). Their mean Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score was 28.8 ± 0.9 points (range 26-30 points). AQT naming times in seconds were used for developing preliminary criterion cut-off times for different age groups. Results: Age was found to have a significant moderate positive correlation with AQT naming times color (r = 0.65, p < 0.001), form (r = 0.53, p < 0.001), color-form (r = 0.63, p < 0.001) and a moderate negative correlation with MMSE score (r = -0.44, p < 0.001) and AQT naming times differed significantly between younger (45-55 years old), older (56-70 years old), and the oldest (71-90 years old) participants. Years of education correlated positively but weakly with MMSE score (r = 0.27, p = 0.003) and negatively but weakly with AQT color (r = -0.16, p = ns), form (r = -0.24, p = 0.007), and color-form (r = -0.19, p = 0.005). We established preliminary cut-off times for the AQT test based on +1 and +2 standard deviations according to the approach in other languages and settings. Conclusions: This is the first Italian normative AQT study. Future studies of AQT - a test useful for dementia screening in primary care - will eventually refine cut-off times for normality balancing sensitivity and specificity in cognitive diagnostics.

Aportaciones a la evaluación del lenguaje mediante BLOC-C y BLOC-SR / Usefulness of the BLOC-C and BLOC-SR tests in language assessment

Se describe el proceso de investigación en evaluación del lenguaje que conduce a la elaboración de la batería de evaluación BLOC-C y posteriormente a las pruebas BLOC-S y BLOC-SR, así como la aplicación informática relacionada con dichas pruebas. El trabajo describe el proceso de elaboración, su aplicabilidad en el diagnóstico del lenguaje a nivel de prevención, los criterios de evaluación, la utilidad de cara a la intervención y los trabajos de investigación realizados en relación con la utilidad de las pruebas. Asimismo se revisa su aplicabilidad en relación con los problemas del lenguaje de diferentes poblaciones con necesidades educativas especiales, a partir de investigaciones y experiencias clínicas en relación con la misma (AU)

We describe the process of research in language assessment leading to the development of the BLOC-C assessment battery and subsequently to the BLOC-S and BLOC-SR tests, as well as a computer application related to these tests. This article describes the process of developing these tools, their applicability in diagnosing language disorders with a view to prevention, the criteria used for their assessment, their usefulness in interventions, and research on the usefulness of the battery. We also review research and clinical experiences that discuss the applicability of these tools in relation to language problems in various populations with special educational needs (AU)

Validation of the AQT color-form additive model for screening and monitoring pharmacological treatment of ADHD.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study used a quick test of cognitive speed (AQT) processing-speed and efficiency measures for evaluating sensitivity and monitoring effects during pharmacological treatment of adults with ADHD. METHOD: Color (C), form (F), and color-form (CF) combination naming were administered to 69 adults during outpatient evaluation, and pre- and posttreatment results were compared for 64 adults. RESULTS: At intake without medication, naming times (s) were significantly longer and overhead, CF - (C + F), larger than after stabilization of ADHD symptoms. Means for single-dimension naming were in the normal range, and for CF and overhead, means were in the atypical ranges. After treatment, CF and overhead improved to within normal ranges. On average, dual-dimension processing speed increased by 31% and efficiency by 73%. Sensitivity at intake was 91%, using fail-criteria for CF and/or overhead. CONCLUSION: Results support previous estimates of sensitivity and ability to monitor pharmacological-treatment effects in ADHD.

A quick test of cognitive speed: preliminary screening criteria for Arabic-speaking adults, ages 40 to 80 years.

A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) color, form, and color-form scales were administered to 90 educated (5-22 years of education) and 45 uneducated (0-2 years of education) healthy, Arabic-speaking adults. Lognormal (In) transformations of time measures (sec.) were used for statistical analyses. There were statistically significant mean differences for the color-form processing-speed measures between middle-aged (ages 40-50) and older (ages 51-80) educated adults and between educated and uneducated adults (ages 40-78). The study developed preliminary criterion cut-off times for color-form naming for screening educated and uneducated Arabic-speaking adults. The normal, slower-than-normal, and atypical/pathological performance ranges were characterized with frequency distributions and standard deviations. Age and education are factors that must be considered in stratifying samples in future studies to develop valid and reliable criteria for cognitive screening of Arabic speakers with the AQT.

A quick test of cognitive speed for comparing processing speed to differentiate adult psychiatric referrals with and without attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorders.

OBJECTIVE: This retrospective study used A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) to compare processing speed and efficiency measures by adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or non-ADHD psychiatric disorders and healthy controls. METHOD: Color, form, and color-form combination naming tests were administered to 104 adults, ages 17-55 years, referred for psychiatric evaluation of possible ADHD. Thirty healthy adults were controls. Psychiatric intake procedures identified 64 adults with ADHD (ICD-10 and DSM-IV criteria) and 40 with mild psychiatric disorders without ADHD. The study was conducted from 2008 through 2010. RESULTS: At intake, color, form, and color-form combination naming times (seconds) were longer and overhead [color-form combination - (color + form)] was larger for patients with ADHD than for non-ADHD patients and controls. In the ADHD group, color and form measures were in the normal range. Color-form combination was in the slower-than-normal speed (60-70 seconds) and overhead, a processing-efficiency measure, in the atypical range (> 10 seconds). In the non-ADHD patient and control groups, all AQT measures were in the normal range. Analysis of variance with post hoc analysis of log-normal values for color, form, and color-form combination and time for overhead indicated significant (Bonferroni P < .01) mean differences between the ADHD and other groups, but not between the non-ADHD and control groups. When using fail criteria for either color-form combination or overhead, the sensitivity for the ADHD group was 89%. CONCLUSIONS: RESULTS support AQT as a possible complement to psychiatric intake procedures to differentiate adults with ADHD from those with mild psychiatric disorders, and they suggest that a controlled prospective study might be productive.

AQT cognitive speed and processing efficiency differentiate adults with and without ADHD: a preliminary study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the hypotheses that A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) single- and dual-dimension naming speed measures would differentiate normal adults and adults with ADHD before medication and that there would be no differences between groups after stabilization with medication. METHODS: Thirty adults with ADHD, aged 18-43, were evaluated with the AQT color (C), form (F) and color-form combination (CF) naming tests before and after medication with methylphenidate. Thirty age- and sex-matched normal adults served as controls. RESULTS: Among adults with ADHD, pre-medication naming times (s) for C, F, and CF were significantly longer and overhead [CF - (C + F)] significantly larger than post-medication. Before medication, C, F and CF naming and processing efficiency (overhead) (s) differed significantly between ADHD adults and controls. After medication, there were no significant differences between groups. When we used fail criteria for dual-dimension naming (> 60 s) and overhead (processing efficiency) (> + 6 s) together the sensitivity was 93% and specificity 100%. CONCLUSIONS: Within the study limitations, findings suggest that the processing-speed and efficiency measures in AQT may be used to screen adults for executive dysfunction and reduced cognitive control associated with ADHD.

An additive model for relations between AQT single- and dual-dimension naming speed.

Color-form naming in A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) is used to assess processing speed on three rapid automatic naming tasks, two of which measure single-dimension and the third of which measures dual-dimension naming speed. These tests have been used to identify changes in processing speed associated with normal aging. The present study evaluated whether a simple additive model could explain the normally expected relation between scores on measures of single- and dual-dimension naming speed. The AQT color (C), form (F), and color-form (CF) naming tests were administered individually to 270 adults (ages 18 to 70 yr.). Paired-sample t tests mean comparisons of C+F and CF naming times for the total group and for three age cohorts (ages 18 to 34, 35 to 54, and 55 to 70), each with 90 adults, indicated significant mean differences between these processing-speed measures for the total group and for the 18- to 34- and 35- to 54-year age cohorts. Thus, a simple additive model does not explain the relationship between single- and dual-dimension naming speed across ages. To provide a better description, an additive model with "overhead" (a measure of processing efficiency) was proposed and norm-referenced for using the AQT tests to assess normal and atypical ranges for dual-dimension processing efficiency (overhead). ANOVA with post hoc analysis (Scheffé) compared AQT C + F, CF, and overhead means across age cohorts. The results indicated significant mean differences for the CF and overhead measures, but not for the C+F measure. Normative ranges for typical overhead sizes were established for each age cohort. In clinical practice, an overhead larger than typical or normal for a given age would suggest executive dysfunction, involving attention, visual working memory, and set shifting.

Multicultural issues in test interpretation.

Designing the ideal test or series of tests to assess individuals who speak languages other than English is difficult. This article first describes some of the roadblocks-one of which is the lack of identification criteria for language and learning disabilities in monolingual and bilingual populations in most countries of the non-English-speaking world. This lag exists, in part, because access to general education is often limited. The second section describes tests that have been developed in the United States, primarily for Spanish-speaking individuals because they now represent the largest first-language majority in the United States (80% of English-language learners [ELLs] speak Spanish at home). We discuss tests developed for monolingual and bilingual English-Spanish speakers in the United States and divide this coverage into two parts: The first addresses assessment of students' first language (L1) and second language (L2), usually English, with different versions of the same test; the second describes assessment of L1 and L2 using the same version of the test, administered in the two languages. Examples of tests that fit a priori-determined criteria are briefly discussed throughout the article. Suggestions how to develop tests for speakers of languages other than English are also provided. In conclusion, we maintain that there will never be a perfect test or set of tests to adequately assess the communication skills of a bilingual individual. This is not surprising because we have yet to develop an ideal test or set of tests that fits monolingual Anglo speakers perfectly. Tests are tools, and the speech-language pathologist needs to know how to use those tools most effectively and equitably. The goal of this article is to provide such guidance.

Reductions in 'Ross Information Processing Test-Geriatric' information processing and 'A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed' processing speed in Alzheimer's disease: which lead and which follow?

Our objective was to obtain preliminary evidence for an order of emergence of measurable reductions in cognitive-linguistic abilities and processing/naming speed. A total of 22 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) or mild cognitive impairment and 22 age- and sex-matched controls participated. Ross Information Processing Test-Geriatric (RIPA-G) evaluated functional information processing and A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) measured naming speed (s) for familiar single-dimension (e.g. colors, forms) and dual-dimension (e.g. color-form combinations) visual stimuli. Patient age was not a significant factor. Means for RIPA-G information processing were in the normal range. AQT means for most perceptual-speed (e.g. form naming) and all cognitive-speed measures (e.g. color-form naming) were in the atypical/pathological range. Correlations between information processing and processing speed were moderate, negative and mostly nonsignificant. RIPA-G memory and organization identified that about a third of patients performed below the normal range. AQT dual-dimension naming identified that all 19 patients with mild-to-moderate AD performed in the atypical range (i.e. slower than +2 SD of the mean). The findings provide preliminary evidence that reductions in perceptual and cognitive speed precede reductions in cognitive-linguistic abilities and functional information processing in mild-to-moderate AD. AQT can assess short-term changes in cognitive functioning and monitor intervention. RIPA-G can provide broad-based functional measures at baseline and over the longer term. The combined use of AQT and RIPA-G can provide health professionals with broadly based clinical information, relevant for making team-based rehabilitation, living and other decisions for patients with AD.

A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed: patterns of age groups 15 to 95 years.

A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed color, form, and color-form naming were administered to 300 normal participants (ages 15-95 years) to explore the effects of age on perceptual (single-dimension naming) and cognitive speed (dual-dimension naming). Naming time means (sec.) were consistent with previous findings. Correlations between age and naming time were low, but significant. Linear regression with age as a factor indicated time increases of 1 sec. per decade for colors and color-form combination naming and of 6 sec. per decade for form naming. Participants were divided into age cohorts, each covering a decade, and naming times were transformed to normalized z scores. The normalized means were similar for color, form, and color-form naming and increased by about 1 SD between ages 15-25 and 75-85 years. The ranges were similar across cohorts, about 2 SD. The findings concur with age patterns for visual-pattern comparison speed, fluid intelligence, and working memory reported by Salthouse in 2004.

A Quick Test for Cognitive Speed: a measure of cognitive speed in dementia with Lewy bodies.

The purpose of this article is to investigate how patients with dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) perform on A Quick Test for Cognitive Speed (AQT) compared with patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age- and sex-matched controls and to see whether this test might be helpful in distinguishing DLB from AD at comparable cognitive levels. Twenty-three patients with DLB, 18 patients with AD, and 24 controls were included. The time in seconds to complete the AQT was recorded for the 3 independent study groups according to standard directives. The DLB patients had significantly longer reading times than the AD patients at equivalent and relatively high Mini-Mental State Examination levels. We suggest that slow performance on the AQT at relatively high Mini-Mental State Examination levels could be one way of distinguishing DLB from AD. This may have clinical implications for treatment as well as for understanding the neuropathological properties of the disease.

Associations between AQT processing speed and neuropsychological tests in neuropsychiatric patients.

Associations between A Quick Test of Cognitive Speed (AQT) perceptual and cognitive speed and neuropsychological tests, including the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Third Edition (WAIS-III), Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Trail Making Test (TMT), were evaluated in 41 neuropsychiatric patients. Neuropsychological and neurological tests, including CT scan, were administered to all of the patients. AQT was also administered to 75 controls. All AQT means differed significantly for patients and controls. Dual-dimension naming time means in the patient group were in the atypical range and indicated generally reduced cognitive speed, whereas controls performed in the normal range. In the patient group, WAIS-III verbal, performance, and full-scale IQ means were in the normal range. AQT perceptual and cognitive speed correlated negatively with WAIS-III P IQ and MMSE scores, and the relationships were nonlinear. The findings support that AQT dual-dimension naming evaluates cognitive speed (i.e., attention, set shifting, working memory) and can be used for first-line or complementary screening for mild or progressive cognitive impairments.

Alzheimer's Quick Test cognitive screening criteria for West African speakers of Krio.

OBJECTIVES: To obtain normative data for Alzheimer's Quick Test (AQT) measures of perceptual and cognitive speed from West African speakers of Krio. SUBJECTS: Normal adults, who were functionally independent, from Sierra Leone (n = 164) aged 25-79 years. METHODS: Perceptual and cognitive speed were measured with AQT single- and dual-dimension colour-number (C-N) and colour-animal (C-A) naming tasks. Tests were administered individually in the participants' communities. RESULTS: Men and women performed similarly (P>0.05), whereas literate speakers used significantly less time than preliterate peers (P<0.01). Correlations between age and colour naming were low (P<0.01) and speed decreased by <0.1 s per year. Dual-dimension naming remained stable across ages. Correlations with years of education were low for dual-dimension naming (P<0.01) and speed increased approximately 0.4 s per added year. Correlations between age and education and AQT naming were non-significant for literate participants. Criterion time cut-offs (seconds) for screening were developed for preliterate and literate speakers of Krio for typical (<+1 SD), slower-than-typical (between +1 and +2 SD) and atypical (>+2 SD) performance. CONCLUSION: AQT C-N and C-A naming are time efficient (3-5 min each), objective and reliable and can be administered in Krio to West African adults in Africa, Europe or North America to screen for cognitive impairments and facilitate referral for medical workup.