Abstract

Objective: This development and pilot study aimed to create and assess the utility and feasibility of using three new computerised memory tests of semantic interference during learning, short-term visual memory binding, and cross-modal associative memory binding with people with Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Method: The new memory tests were evaluated as potential diagnostic and staging tests in AD using a sample of older adults: 15 with a clinical diagnosis of AD, mean age 70.80±5.41 years; 14 with positive AD biomarkers but no known cognitive impairment (preclinical AD), mean age 70.60±4.49 years; and 15 healthy controls (HCs), mean age 69.60 ±7.38 years. Results: The new memory tests Semantic Interference during Learning Test, Colour Object and Location Binding Test, and Matching Animals and Names Exam showed preliminary utility and potential feasibility for use in AD. Tests had minimal floor and ceiling effects in HC and preclinical AD groups, though floor effects were apparent for the AD group. AD participants scored lower than HC and preclinical AD groups on each of the new tests. The new tests showed good to acceptable diagnostic accuracy at differentiating AD participants from HCs. Tests showed initial convergent validity with a reference test of memory and a cognitive screening tool. Conclusions: Preliminary results are promising and will be used to guide future development of these memory tests for use in AD. Further work is required to improve test utility and quality.

Awarding Institution(s)

University of Plymouth

Supervisor

Donnchadh Murphy, Deanna Gallichan, Rupert Noad

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Date

2025

Embargo Period

2026-09-12

Deposit Date

September 2025

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License

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