IMPROVEMENT IN NEUROCOGNITIVE FUNCTION:TIME TO RE-ASSESS EVALUATION TECHNIQUES?

Backround and Purposes-Neurocognitive function assessment (NFA) is traditionally used to assess the effect of a vascular surgical intervention. However, authors regularly fail to account for the learning effect, which is associated with NFA when repeated on multiple occasions. This study aims to emphasis the habituating nature of NFA, when applied in a clinical population. Methods-A battery of psychometric tests were administered to 45 healthy individuals on multiple occasions. Thirty participants completed the tests over four consecutive days, while ten were assessed for a further four days. A separate cohort of 15 participants completed the tests on two occasions, six weeks apart. Results-Our data identified an improvement in NFA score when repeated over two consecutive days (~10%) and over 4 consecutive days (~25%). NFA score subsequently peaked at day four and stabilised thereafter. Additionally, improvements were recorded in all memory and mental agility tests when performed on two occasions, six weeks part. Conclusions-An alternative (i.e non-habituating) measure of neurocognitive dysfunction is required when NFA is administered on multiple occasions.