COMPUTERIZED COGNITIVE EXAMINATION OF THE ELDERLY (ECO) - THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EXAMINATION FOR CLINIC AND POPULATION USE

The development of a computerized neuropsychological examination (ECO), designed to evaluate intellectual functioning in elderly populations, is described. The examination is based on clinical and laboratory observations of cognitive functioning in normal and pathological ageing. ECO provides extensive information on attention, memory, and visuospatial and linguistic functioning, and the use of a touch screen permits the recording of reaction time and response delays. Information regarding qualitative aspects of responses is also recorded. The examination takes relatively little time given the extent of the information obtained (approximately 40 min), is highly acceptable to the elderly, and provides qualitative neuropsychological data although administered by lay interviewers. The results obtained by a normal group of 335 elderly persons aged between 60 and 100 years are discussed in relation to age and education level.