A normative study of the Italian version of the CERAD neuropsychological battery in young‐old and old‐old participating in population‐based studies

Background Prevalence of dementia increases with increasing age. Although cognitive assessment is central to the diagnosis dementia, normative data on neuropsychological tests in non-selected elderly populations are limited and those available oldest-old rare. Objectives: To report distribution scores CERAD test battery a large population including sizeable number very old individuals participating population-based studies. Method Subjects included analyses were non-demented participants three Italian studies (Monzino-80 plus, Varese Province, Lombardy; Heath Anemia, Biella municipality, Piedmont; Moltrasio, Como province, Lombardy) first study (Lugli 2002). Participants fulfilling DSM-IV criteria for excluded. Tests administered scored by specifically trained psychologists following standardized criteria, same all four The version showed high test-retest reliability (r = 0.89). Multivariable linear regression models fitted investigate association age (in years), sex, education (years schooling) performance tests. Result total consisted 2,501 (mean age: 83 years; women: 64%; average education: 6.8 institutionalized: 69 [3%]), 802 whom young-old (65-79 years age) 1,699 old-old (80+ years: 1,155 octogenarians, 470 nonagenarians, 74 centenarians). Table shows (means, SDs, 5th percentiles) each whole as well class. Better was significantly associated lower higher education; women better than men Word List Learning Recall, short-Boston Naming Test Constructional Praxis Copy Recall. Refusal continue fatigue main reasons put forward not completing battery. Conclusion present provides commonly utilized large, old-old. Performance declines some also influenced sex.