Titolo della tesi: Preclinical pathological aging: predictive markers of the future onset
Background: Detecting the beginning of cognitive decay is crucial to guarantee good management and the possible prevention
of dementia progression. The present study arises from observations collected during an educational event to promote mental
and physical health in which incidental neuropsychological data gathered on 290 citizens showed the importance of routine
neuropsychological examination in detecting early signs of cognitive decay, since many individuals were unaware of the
decrease in their cognitive efficiency. Accordingly, the availability of a screening tool that is computerized, portable, selfadministrable,
and sensitive to the main neurocognitive changes testifying the progression towards pathological aging is critical.
Objective: the main aims of this work were identify the trend over time of the deterioration of cognitive functions, linked to normal aging in the healthy population, in order to create indicators of a preclinical pathological cognitive impairment.
Methods: to obtain this result, we proceeded to developing a digital system that will allow to collect large amounts of data from several individuals and from different devices contemporary; developing a battery of neuropsychological test, apt for portable devices, designed to be easily and rapidly self-administered; Calculate normal aging curves to visualize trends in cognitive test performance as age varies, as a reference for identifying pathological brain aging.
Results: DiaNe is not just the translation of standard tests into telematics, rather it is a new tool that provides both accuracy
and response time measurements, aimed to screen cognitive profile and monitor it over time, being able to detect changes in
still normal performances that may be suggestive of an ongoing onset of neurocognitive disorders.