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- Introduction
What is Cognitive Testing?
The term "cognition" describes those mental processes that allow us to perform day-to-day functions. For example, the ability to pay attention, to remember and to solve problems are all parts of cognition.
Cognitive tests are used to measure a person's cognition. Other terms for cognitive tests include neuropsychological tests, psychometric tests, psychological tests, intelligence tests or neurocognitive tests. Importantly, the cognitive tests developed by CogState are not intelligence or intelligence quotient (IQ) tests.
Normally, tests are designed to assess a single or only a few aspects of cognition. This means that multiple tests must be administered to get an overall ‘picture' or ‘map' of an individual's cognitive ability.
Cognitive "domains"
Cognitive tests can be categorized according to the aspect or "domain" of thinking that they aim to assess. The three most commonly cited domains of cognition are attention, memory and executive function.
Importantly, each of these broad domains encompasses more specific aspects of cognition. For example, at one level memory can be broken down into short-term and long-term memory, while attention can be broken down into many components, including sustained and divided attention.
Each of our cognitive tests is designed to measure performance in a limited number of domains of cognition, with additional domains assessed as different complexities are added to the tasks. For example, intact attentional abilities are required to concentrate on, and complete, even the simplest of tasks, whilst preserved memory is additionally needed to perform well on tasks of new learning. Combining these individual tasks into a test battery can provide a more complete profile of a person's current cognitive state.
Paper-and-pencil tests versus computerized tests
The earliest cognitive tests were developed over 100 years ago, and some of these are still in use today. Throughout the 20th century "paper-and-pencil" cognitive tests were used commonly to measure intelligence, assist with the diagnosis of brain disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, and measure recovery from brain disease or injury.
The first computerized cognitive tests were developed in the 1970s and 1980s. Computerized testing offers accurate recording of reaction times, electronic capture and processing of data (minimizing human error) and standardization of test administration (minimizing sources of response bias).
CogState develops highly sensitive and reliable computerized cognitive tests with its industry and academic partners, and validates these for use in clinical research trials.
Cognitive testing in academic research
In academic research, cognitive tests are often used to determine whether a treatment or intervention has a positive or negative effect on a person's thinking. Changes in cognition are usually determined by comparing the person to their own "baseline" level of performance.
The tasks covered in CogState Research are specifically designed to answer the question "Has this person's cognition changed?" In order to provide the answer, the tasks are proven to be highly reliable and repeatable, responsive (or sensitive) to subtle changes, and designed to minimize sources of bias that may affect a person's performance, such as learning or practice effects.
