Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39704981›Full record

ArticleAging clinical and experimental research2024

Neuropsychological tests at the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias: results from a survey on 450 specialized services.

Roberta Vaccaro, Patrizia Lorenzini, Francesco Giaquinto, Fabio Matascioli, Giulia Carnevale, Francesco Sciancalepore, Marina Gasparini, Emanuela Salvi, Massimo Corbo, Nicoletta Locuratolo and 4 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Aging clinical and experimental research, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Normative data and clinical usability of the brief examination of social abilities: a novel screening test for social cognition.Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology · 2026
    Article
  2. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

14 authors.

Roberta VaccaroItalian National Institute of Health FONDEM Study Group, Rome, Italy.
Patrizia LorenziniNational Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy. patrizia.lorenzini@iss.it.
Francesco GiaquintoItalian National Institute of Health FONDEM Study Group, Rome, Italy.
Fabio MatascioliItalian National Institute of Health FONDEM Study Group, Rome, Italy.
Giulia CarnevaleItalian National Institute of Health FONDEM Study Group, Rome, Italy.
Francesco SciancaleporeNational Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Marina GaspariniCenter for Cognitive and Language Rehabilitation "Sinapsy", Rome, Italy.
Emanuela SalviNational Center for Drug Research and Evaluation, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Massimo CorboDepartment of Neurorehabilitation Sciences, Casa di Cura Igea, Milan, Italy.
Nicoletta LocuratoloNational Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Nicola VanacoreNational Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Ilaria BacigalupoNational Center for Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Italian National Institute of Health, Rome, Italy.
Permanent Table of the National Dementia Plan Study Group
CCDDs Study Group

Funding

Ministry of Health, Italy Chapter 2302
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe Italian Fund for Alzheimer's and other dementias approved in 2020 enabled the conducting of a survey in the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs) to analyse the organization, the administrative features and the professionals' characteristics.

aimsTo investigate the current use of neuropsychological (NP) tests in Italian CCDDs and the association between the use of a basic set of tests for neuropsychological assessment (NPA) and organizational/structural characteristics of CCDDs.

methodsA survey was conducted with an online questionnaire in all CCDDs between July 2022 and February 2023. To verify the use of a comprehensive NPA in the diagnosis of cognitive disorders and dementia, we identified a minimum core test (MCT).

resultsThe CCDDs using a Minimum Core Test (MCT) significantly increased from 45.7% in 2015 to the current 57.1%. Territorial CCDDs using MCT significantly increased from 24.9% in 2015 to 37% in 2022 (p = 0.004). As multivariable results, the presence of psychologist/neuropsychologist in the staff and the University-based/IRCCS CCDDs increased the probability of using MCT (OR = 9.2; 95% CI 5.6-15.0; p < 0.001 and OR = 5.4; 95% CI 1.9-15.9; p = 0.002, respectively), while CCDDs in Southern Italy-Islands showed a lower probability than those in the North (OR = 0.4; 95% CI 0.2-0.7; p = 0.001). DISCUSSION: Almost half of CCDDs (43%) do not use MCT in their clinical practice. The presence of the psychologist/neuropsychologist on the staff has a key role in the adoption of MCT and regional differences have increased over the past years. NPA is crucial in the diagnostic process and in characterizing risk profiles in order to implement targeted interventions for risk reduction.

conclusionsOur results could help to identify good practices aimed at improving dementia diagnosis. An intervention by health policymakers is urgently needed with the aim of improving diagnostic appropriateness and overcoming regional differences.

Indexed as

DementiaNeuropsychological TestsCognition DisordersHumansItalySurveys and QuestionnairesCenters for Cognitive Disorders and DementiasDementiaMemory clinicMinimum core testNational dementia planNeuropsychological assessmentPublic healthSurvey

Identifiers

PMID39704981
PMCPMC11662035

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.