Ioannis Tarnanas1, Magda Tsolaki2, Tobias Nef3, René M Müri4, Urs P Mosimann5. 1. Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Clinical & Biological Psychology, Institute of Psychology and Education, University of Ulm, Ulm, Germany. Electronic address: ioannis.tarnanas@artorg.unibe.ch. 2. 3rd Department of Neurology, Medical School, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece. 3. Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; ARTORG Center for Biomedical Engineering Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 4. Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; Perception and Eye Movement Laboratory, Department of Clinical Research, University Hospital Inselspital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. 5. Gerontechnology and Rehabilitation Group, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland; University Hospital of Old Age Psychiatry, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Virtual reality testing of everyday activities is a novel type of computerized assessment that measures cognitive, executive, and motor performance as a screening tool for early dementia. This study used a virtual reality day-out task (VR-DOT) environment to evaluate its predictive value in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: One hundred thirty-four patients with MCI were selected and compared with 75 healthy control subjects. Participants received an initial assessment that included VR-DOT, a neuropsychological evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and event-related potentials (ERPs). After 12 months, participants were assessed again with MRI, ERP, VR-DOT, and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: At the end of the study, we differentiated two subgroups of patients with MCI according to their clinical evolution from baseline to follow-up: 56 MCI progressors and 78 MCI nonprogressors. VR-DOT performance profiles correlated strongly with existing predictive biomarkers, especially the ERP and MRI biomarkers of cortical thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ERP, MRI, or neuropsychological tests alone, the VR-DOT could provide additional predictive information in a low-cost, computerized, and noninvasive way.
BACKGROUND: Virtual reality testing of everyday activities is a novel type of computerized assessment that measures cognitive, executive, and motor performance as a screening tool for early dementia. This study used a virtual reality day-out task (VR-DOT) environment to evaluate its predictive value in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHODS: One hundred thirty-four patients with MCI were selected and compared with 75 healthy control subjects. Participants received an initial assessment that included VR-DOT, a neuropsychological evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, and event-related potentials (ERPs). After 12 months, participants were assessed again with MRI, ERP, VR-DOT, and neuropsychological tests. RESULTS: At the end of the study, we differentiated two subgroups of patients with MCI according to their clinical evolution from baseline to follow-up: 56 MCI progressors and 78 MCI nonprogressors. VR-DOT performance profiles correlated strongly with existing predictive biomarkers, especially the ERP and MRI biomarkers of cortical thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with ERP, MRI, or neuropsychological tests alone, the VR-DOT could provide additional predictive information in a low-cost, computerized, and noninvasive way.
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