The use of neuropsychological tests across Europe: the need for a consensus in the use of assessment tools for dementia
C. Maruta,
M. Guerreiro,
A. de Mendonça,
J. Hort,
P. Scheltens,
C. Maruta
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorM. Guerreiro
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorA. de Mendonça
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Hort
Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, 2nd Medical Faculty and Motol Hospital Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Search for more papers by this authorP. Scheltens
Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorC. Maruta,
M. Guerreiro,
A. de Mendonça,
J. Hort,
P. Scheltens,
C. Maruta
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorM. Guerreiro
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorA. de Mendonça
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Lisbon, Portugal
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Hort
Memory Clinic, Department of Neurology, Charles University, 2nd Medical Faculty and Motol Hospital Prague, Prague, Czech Republic
Search for more papers by this authorP. Scheltens
Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorA. de Mendonça, MD, PhD, Laboratory of Neurosciences and Department of Neurology, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Faculty of Medicine of Lisbon, Av. Prof Egas Moniz, 1649-028 Lisbon, Portugal (tel.: +351 217985183; fax: +351 217999454; e-mail: [email protected]).
Abstract
Background and purpose: The centres dedicated to dementia throughout Europe use different neuropsychological tests in clinical practice. The European Federation of Neurological Societies task force on neuropsychological tests produced this survey on neuropsychological tests currently being used in different European countries to gather knowledge on the practice of dementia centres and to promote the harmonization of such instruments and future multicentre collaborations.
Methods: National representatives of 34 countries received a questionnaire and 25 (73.5%) sent it back.
Results: A few instruments, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT), Verbal Fluency and Clock Drawing Test, were available in all countries. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scales and MMSE were reported to be valid, respectively, in 20 (80%) and 19 (76%) countries, whereas Verbal Fluency and Stroop Test are valid in 18 (72%) of them. Of the 25 countries, 17 have validation norms for Clock Drawing Test and TMT (68%), and Neuropsychiatric Inventory, Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale – Cognitive Subscale, Rey Complex Figure Test, Digit Symbol and Beck Depression Inventory were standardized in 16 countries (64%). The remaining tests were validated, at most, in about half of them. Not all countries certificate neuropsychology.
Conclusions: Despite the substantial differences in the tools used by the EFNS countries for most domains surveyed by the questionnaire, there is at least one neuropsychological instrument used by about 80% of the countries. There is clearly the need for a broader consensus in the use of neuropsychological tests for dementia diagnosis.
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