Consensus-Harmonized Neuropsychological Assessment for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Adam Bentvelzen; Nicole Kochan; Danit Saks; Russell Chander; Rebecca Koncz; Stina Aam; Gilberto Alves; Emily Briceno; Amy Brodtmann; Chiara Cerami; Una Clancy; Lucette Cysique; Ian Deary; Charles Decarli; Alessandra Dodich; Olivier Godefroy; Angela Jochems; Hanna Jokinen; Yeonwook Kang; Frini Karayanidis; Roy Kessels; Iiris Kyläheiko; Kurt Lancaster; Erika Laukka; Deborah Levine; Anna Marseglia; Matthew Pase; Ruth Peters; David Salmon; Emilia Salvadori; Steven Shirk; Kathryn Stokes; Felipe Kenji Sudo; Mathew Summers; Susan Vandermorris; Brandon Vasquez; Perminder Sachdev

doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.47948

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Consensus-Harmonized Neuropsychological Assessment for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Consensus-Harmonized Neuropsychological Assessment for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia

Adam Bentvelzen, Nicole Kochan, Danit Saks, Russell Chander, Rebecca Koncz, Stina Aam, Gilberto Alves, Emily Briceno, Amy Brodtmann, Chiara Cerami, …

JAMA Network Open, Vol.8(12), pp.1-15

2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.47948

PMID: 41364442

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Abstract

Cognitive science

Life Sciences

Neurons and Cognition

Importance: Harmonization of neuropsychological assessment for vascular cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID) is important for ensuring the highest standards and consistency of diagnosis. A battery proposed in 2006 by the National Institute for Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Canadian Stroke Network (NINDS-CSN) has received much international support. Considering significant advances in the field, including the rise of computerized and remote assessment methods, a revision is needed. Objective: To develop an updated harmonized battery and associated assessment guidelines for VCID. Evidence Review: NINDS-CSN and other relevant published harmonized neuropsychological batteries, aided by literature review of recent developments in VCID, were used as reference points for an online Delphi survey (≥3 rounds, ≥75% threshold for agreement), including questions on a core test battery based on key cognitive domains that should be assessed for VCID, consideration of computerized and remote assessment methods, and assessment of diverse populations. International experts in neuropsychological assessment from diverse international regions were invited to participate in 2023. Data were analyzed from October 11, 2023, to June 20, 2024. Findings: A total of 44 experts participated in 3 survey rounds, with 28 to 31 participants each. Consensus was reached on a core assessment battery of neuropsychological tests based on key cognitive domains, and additional guidelines for a more comprehensive test battery, cognitive screening, telehealth and computerized assessment methods, principles for normative standardization, and the assessment of diverse populations. The key cognitive domains were harmonized with the International Society for Vascular Behavioural and Cognitive Disorders version 2 World Stroke Organization (VasCog-2-WSO) diagnostic criteria for VCID. Conclusions and Relevance: This consensus statement describes the development of a harmonized neuropsychological assessment battery and guidelines for VCID (VasCog-NP) that expands on the NINDS-CSN battery with more comprehensive and flexible assessment of VCID. Harmonized with the VasCog-2-WSO diagnostic criteria, VasCog-NP could be adopted internationally to further help more consistent neuropsychological evaluations related to VCID, facilitating global comparisons for clinicians and researchers.

Details

Title: Consensus-Harmonized Neuropsychological Assessment for Vascular Cognitive Impairment and Dementia
Authors: Adam Bentvelzen (Corresponding Author) - UNSW Sydney
Nicole Kochan - UNSW Sydney
Danit Saks - UNSW Sydney
Russell Chander - UNSW Sydney
Rebecca Koncz - UNSW Sydney
Stina Aam - St Olav's University Hospital
Gilberto Alves - Universidade Federal do Maranhão
Emily Briceno - University of Michigan
Amy Brodtmann - Monash University
Chiara Cerami - Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri
Una Clancy - UK Dementia Research Institute
Lucette Cysique - UNSW Sydney
Ian Deary - University of Edinburgh
Charles Decarli - Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative
Alessandra Dodich - University of Trento
Olivier Godefroy - Université de Picardie Jules Verne
Angela Jochems - University of Edinburgh
Hanna Jokinen - Helsinki University Hospital
Yeonwook Kang - Hallym University
Frini Karayanidis - University of Newcastle Australia
Roy Kessels - Radboud University Medical Center
Iiris Kyläheiko - Kymenlaakson keskussairaala
Kurt Lancaster - St Vincent's Hospital Sydney
Erika Laukka - Karolinska Institutet
Deborah Levine - University of Michigan
Anna Marseglia - Karolinska Institutet
Matthew Pase - Monash University
Ruth Peters - The George Institute for Global Health
David Salmon - University of California San Diego
Emilia Salvadori - University of Milan
Steven Shirk - Geriatric Research Education and Clinical Center
Kathryn Stokes - Baycrest Hospital
Felipe Kenji Sudo - D’Or Institute for Research and Education
Mathew Summers - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Health - Psychology
Susan Vandermorris - Baycrest Hospital
Brandon Vasquez - Baycrest Hospital
Perminder Sachdev - UNSW Sydney
Publication details: JAMA Network Open, Vol.8(12), pp.1-15
Publisher: American Medical Association
Date published: 2025
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.47948
ISSN: 2574-3805
PMID: 41364442
Copyright note: This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the CC-BY License. © 2025 Bentvelzen AC et al. JAMA Network Open.
Data Availability: Data is available from the corresponding author.
Grant note: This work was supported by the Centre for Healthy Brain Ageing (CHeBA), University of New South Wales, which is supported by the NHMRC Centres of Research Excellence scheme (grant No. RG203943; 2021-2026; Drs Bentvelzen, Sachdev, Chander, Saks). Dr Briceño is supported by the NIH. Dr Cysique is funded by Peter Duncan Neuroscience Unit at St. Vincent’s Applied Medical Research Centre. Dr Deary is supported by NIH research grants (grant No. R01AG054628 and U01AG083829) and by Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and Economic Social and Research Council (grant No. BB/W008793/1). Dr Godefroy acknowledges the French Department of Health ‘Direction générale de l’offre des soins’ (award No. DGOS R1/2013/144). Dr Pase’s salary is provided with the support of an Australian NHMRC Investigator Grant (grant No. GTN2009264).
Organisation Unit: Healthy Ageing Research Cluster; School of Health - Psychology
Language: English
Record Identifier: 991192243902621
Output Type: Journal article

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Web Of Science research areas: Clinical Neurology

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