Applicability of the CANTAB-PAL computerized memory test in identifying amnestic mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease.

Aim: To compare the diagnostic accuracy of a computerized test, the CANTAB paired associate learning (PAL) to that of an established and validated noncomputerized test, the CERAD Wordlist Learning task in differentiating between normal aging, aMCI and AD in a cross-sectional design.

Methods: 58 participants were assessed (19 with mild probable AD, 17 aMCI, 22 healthy controls).

Results: The variables found to best discriminate between the three groups were the CANTAB PAL total errors adjusted (p < 0.0001, 81.0% of the cases correctly classified), and CERAD Wordlist Learning Delayed Recall (p < 0.0001, 77.6% of the cases correctly classified). Using both PAL total errors adjusted and Wordlist Learning Delayed Recall, 84.5% of the cases were correctly classified.

Discussion: The results suggest that the CANTAB could be used for screening of AD-typical memory impairment.