Differences in List Learning Performance on the MoCA wordlist and Shepherd Verbal Learning Test in Cognitively Normal, MCI, and AD Individuals

Abstract

Objective: The present study examines performance on the MoCA wordlist and SVLT wordlist and their association with the outcomes of healthy, MCI, and AD in a memory disorder clinic sample and community sample. Method: Archival data form 125 Health First Memory Disorder Clinic patients was utilized. Data from a community sample of geriatric individuals was also utilized. Participants were included if they were administered both the MoCA and SVLT and were diagnosed as healthy, MCI, or AD. Additionally, individuals were used from the community sample of their score was 23 and above on the MoCA. Patients’ medical and psychosocial information was obtained from their electronic medical records (EMR). Results: No significant differences were found on MoCA word list performance when comparing community healthy controls and healthy controls from the HFMDC, t(299) = -.87, p = .193, with the difference to have a 95% CI [-.94, .36]. Additionally, there were no significant differences in performance eon the SVLT when comparing community healthy controls and healthy controls from HFMDC, t(299) = -.87, p = .193, with the difference to have a 95% CI [-.94, .36]. A significant difference was found between healthy HFMDC controls and MCI patients regarding performance on the MoCA wordlist, t(198) = -7.73, p <.001, with the difference to have a 95% CI [-2.24, -1.33]. Additionally, a significant difference was also found between healthy HFMDC controls and MCI patients performance on the SVLT, t(198) = -7.84, p <.001, with the difference to have a 95% CI [-3.43, -2.05]. A significant difference was found between healthy HFMDC controls and AD patients regarding their performance on the MoCA wordlist, t(55.83) = -14.78, p < .001, with the differences to have a 95% CI [-3.23, - 2.45]. There was also a significant difference found between healthy HFMDC controls and AD patients regarding their performance on the SVLT, t(63.58) = - 20.25, p < .001, with the differences to have a 95% CI [-6.11, -5.01]. Furthermore, a significant difference was found between MCI patients and AD patients with their performance on the MoCA wordlist, t(180.7) = -8.28, p < .001, with the differences to have a 95% CI [-1.30, -.80]. There was also a significant difference found between MCI patients and AD patients with their performance on the SVLT, t(214.12) = -13.69, p < .001, with the difference to have a 95% CI [-3.23, -2.41]. An increase in MoCA delayed recall on the wordlist was associated with an increase in the odds of higher cognition based on diagnosis, with an odds ratio of 2.92 (95% CI, 2.41 to 3.52), Wald χ2 (1) = 123.110, p < .001. Also, an increase in SVLT delayed recall was associated with an increase in the odds of higher cognition based on diagnosis, with an odds ratio of 2.27 (95% CI, 2.01 to 2.58), Wald χ2(1) = 166.054, p < .001. Conclusion: The results of this present study indicate SVLT and MoCA wordlist performance can indicate an increase in the odds of higher cognition based on iv diagnosis. Additionally, there were significant differences between all groups on both the SVLT and MoCA, indicating both appear to have adequate diagnostic capabilities. However, due to the brief nature of the MoCA it is still important to only use as a screener. The SVLT, though, is likely an adequate and brief measure regarding verbal memory, and results on this can likely predict cognitive capabilities regarding verbal memory, thus aiding in providing diagnostic clarity in healthy individuals, MCI patients, and AD patients.