Limitations and future directions for cognitive function testing

Etsuro Mori

Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University

Cognitive function testing is essential for diagnosing MCI and dementia, differentiating causative diseases, estimating disability related to patient’s life problems and risks, and measuring severity, progression rate, and response to treatment （nosometrics） in clinical and investigational settings.　Regardless of the emerging biomarkers, cognitive function testing will remain one of the most important outcomes in the diagnosis and treatment of dementia.　On the other hand, cognitive function tests have unavoidable limitations, including intrinsic limitations of the tests and subject-related confounding factors.　Furthermore, considerable neuropsychological skills are required to perform and interpret the tests.　This review discusses the limitations and future directions of cognitive testing particularly as it relates to the early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease.

Address correspondence to Dr. Etsuro Mori, Department of Behavioral Neurology and Neuropsychiatry, Osaka University (2-2 Yamadaoka, Suita 565-0871, Japan)