A comparison of MicroCog and the Wechsler Memory Scale (3rd ed.) in older adults.

In recent years, computerized assessment of cognitive functions such as memory has increased in popularity. Here we contrast the performance of 33 community-dwelling older adults (mean age 71.2 years, SD = 7.62) on the computer-based MicroCog with the conventional Wechsler Memory Scale-3rd Edition (WMS-III). Participants were screened for possible depression using the Geriatric Depression Scale and completed both memory tests in counterbalanced order. WMS-III General Memory correlated moderately with both the MicroCog Memory index and the General Cognitive Functioning index. Correlations between the visual memory measures of the 2 tests were not statistically significant. Agreement between the tests on the classification of participants as lying within the average, below average, or above average ranges was fair at best. We conclude that the correspondence between the 2 measures is not sufficient to substitute 1 for the other for clinical decision making as to the memory functioning of older adults.