TABLE 1.
Neuropsychological test descriptions and outcome measures contributing to composites
| Task | Description | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PROTECT Core Neuropsychological Tests | |||
| Self‐ordered search | Total score (Memory) | 5 Minutes Average b | A series of boxes are present on the screen; one of the boxes will contain a diamond. The volunteer selects each box until they locate the diamond. The diamond is then placed in another box and again the volunteer must locate it, but they must be careful not to select the box in which the diamond was previously found. Higher scores are achieved through efficient location of the diamond. This task measures working memory. |
| Paired Associate Learning | Total score (Memory) | 3 Minutes Average b | A series of objects appear in the cells on screen. The volunteer is instructed to remember the cell in which the object appears. When an object appears at the bottom center, the volunteer is instructed to click on the cell in which they recall seeing that object. The volunteer is given three attempts at each level. This task measures working memory and learning. |
| Digit Span | Total score (Memory) | 3 Minutes Average b | Using a ratchet‐style approach in which each successful trial is followed by a new sequence that is one digit longer than the last and each unsuccessful trial is followed by a new sequence that is one digit shorter than the last. This task measures aspects of attention. |
| Verbal reasoning tasks |
Total Score (executive function) Median Speed of correct responses (executive function) Standard Deviation of correct responses (executive function) Accuracy (executive function) |
3 Minutes | A sentence is displayed at the bottom of the screen whilst a square and a circle are displayed above. The volunteer needs to respond as to whether the sentence correctly or incorrectly describes the configuration of the circle and square. The task measures verbal/grammatical reasoning. c |
| CogTrack Neuropsychological Tests | |||
| Digit Vigilance |
Median Speed of correct responses (Speed of Attention) Standard Deviation of correct responses (Accuracy of Attention) Accuracy (Accuracy of Attention) False Alarms (Accuracy of Attention) |
3 Minutes | A target digit from one to nine is randomly selected and constantly displayed to the right‐hand side of the screen. Digits are then presented one at a time in the center of the screen. The volunteer is required to respond as quickly as possible every time a digit matches the target digit. Correct detections, the speed of the detections and responses made in error (false alarms) are recorded. |
| Choice Reaction Time |
Median Speed of correct responses (Speed of Attention) Standard Deviation of correct responses Accuracy (Accuracy of Attention) |
2 Minutes | The two possible stimuli in this task that can appear on screen. Equal amounts of each stimuli type will be displayed. The volunteer is required to respond with the correct response key as quickly as possible every time the stimuli appears on screen. The accuracy and speed of each is response is recorded. |
| Delayed Visual Recognition (Picture Recognition) |
Median Speed of correct responses (Memory) Standard Deviation of correct responses Accuracy (Memory) |
3.5 Minutes | At the start of the battery 20 pictures are presented for an equal time on screen. At the end of the battery the original pictures plus the 20 very similar distractor pictures are presented one at a time in a counterbalanced order. For each picture the volunteer has to indicate whether or not it was the precise picture shown earlier, as quickly and accurately as possible. Each picture remains on the screen until a response is made. The accuracy and speed of each response is recorded. |
| Simple Reaction Time |
Median Speed of correct responses (Speed of Attention) Standard Deviation of correct responses |
2 Minutes | The volunteer is required to respond as quickly as possible when a stimulus is presented in the center of the screen. The volunteer is informed that the stimuli will be presented one at a time and that they will remain there until a response is made. The speed of each response is recorded. |
This is the time for a single session administration of the test.
Timings wise this task is performance driven so can be as short as 1.5 minutes.
A verbal reasoning task was part of both the PROTECT and CogTrack battery with different presentations and outcome measures. The CogTrack version did not restrict time for volunteers.