Executive functioning and processing speed as predictors of global cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease

Background Better cognitive tools to predict disease progression in mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are needed. Objective In this prospective longitudinal cohort, we are testing if changes in the cognitive domains of executive functioning and processing speed can predict global cognitive decline. Methods We assessed patients with MCI, AD, and cognitively healthy controls (cHC) using NIH toolbox assessments for processing speed and executive functioning and overall cognitive decline by the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive (ADAS-Cog). Results Among 184 participants over a median follow-up of 540 days, both between- and within-subjects variance in NIH toolbox and ADAS-Cog assessments increased from cHC to MCI to AD patients. Among patients with AD (n = 24), pattern comparison processing speed (PCPS) and dimensional change card sort tests (DCCS) declined at 3 and 6 months prior to global cognitive decline (p = 0.008 and 0.0012). A 5-point decrease in either PCPS or DCCS increased risk of global cognitive decline (HR 1.32 (1.08–1.60) and 1.62 (1.16–2.26)). Conclusions Testing for cognitive domains of processing speed and executive functioning may predict subsequent global cognitive.