Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions (Jan 2020)

The Cognitive‐Functional Composite is sensitive to clinical progression in early dementia: Longitudinal findings from the Catch‐Cog study cohort

  • Roos J. Jutten,
  • John E. Harrison,
  • A.J. Brunner,
  • R. Vreeswijk,
  • R.A.J. vanDeelen,
  • Frank Jan de Jong,
  • Esther M. Opmeer,
  • Craig W. Ritchie,
  • André Aleman,
  • Philip Scheltens,
  • Sietske A.M. Sikkes

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12020
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 6, no. 1
pp. n/a – n/a

Abstract

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Abstract Introduction In an attempt to capture clinically meaningful cognitive decline in early dementia, we developed the Cognitive‐Functional Composite (CFC). We investigated the CFC's sensitivity to decline in comparison to traditional clinical endpoints. Methods This longitudinal construct validation study included 148 participants with subjective cognitive decline, mild cognitive impairment, or mild dementia. The CFC and traditional tests were administered at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. Sensitivity to change was investigated using linear mixed models and r2 effect sizes. Results CFC scores declined over time (β = −.16, P < .001), with steepest decline observed in mild Alzheimer's dementia (β = −.25, P < .001). The CFC showed medium‐to‐large effect sizes at succeeding follow‐up points (r2 = .08‐.42), exhibiting greater change than the Clinical Dementia Rating scale (r2 = .02‐.12). Moreover, change on the CFC was significantly associated with informant reports of cognitive decline (β = .38, P < .001). Discussion By showing sensitivity to decline, the CFC could enhance the monitoring of disease progression in dementia research and clinical practice.

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