Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System (COGDRAS)
FREE for use with an Inquisit Lab or Inquisit Web license.Background
The Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System (COGDRAS) is a behavioral-based assessment battery, originally devised to assess the effects of medications on cognitive functions. COGDRAS was created by K. Wesnes and colleagues in 1987 and further revised in 1995 by Claire Nicholls and colleagues to assess cognitive decline in older patients (COGDRAS-D). The COGDRAS testing battery consists of eight behavioral tests to assess patients' performance in areas such as memory, attention, and processing speed. It is administered on computerized devices and allows a quick and automatic administration and scoring of the tests.
Task Procedure
Each task can be performed by responding to stimuli using up to two computer keys referred to as the YES and NO button.
What it Measures
The COGRAS battery is a general behavioral based assessment tool of cognitive changes and impairments.
Psychological domains
- Memory: Recognition memory of words and images in immediate and delayed tests as well as numeric short term memory
- Sustainted Attention: Staying vigilant and responding to low frequency target stimuli
- Processing Speed: Speed of responding in simple and choice reaction time tasks
Main Performance Metrics
- Accuracy: Proportion Correct Responses
- Speed: Response Times in milliseconds of correct responses
Psychiatric Conditions
COGDRAS has been used to study impaired cognitive performance in the following conditions
- Dementia
- Depression
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Parkinsons
- Huntington's Disease
- Drug Research
Available Test Variations
The COGDRAS battery consisting of 8 individual cognitive tests testing memory, attention and reaction times designed by Wesnes et al in 1987.
The Simple Reaction Time Task subtest of the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System
The Choice Reaction Time Task subtest of the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System
The Memory Scan subtest of the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System
The Number Vigilance Task subtest of the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System. This measures attention and cognitive control using a go/no go test with digits.
The Immediate Word Recognition subtest of the Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System
References
Search Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, published research using the Inquisit Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System (COGDRAS).
Wesnes, K., Simpson, P. M. and Christmas, L. (1987) The assessment of human information processing abilities in psychopharmacology. In: Hindmarch, 1. and Stonier, P. D. (eds.) Human Psychopharrnacology: Measures and Methods Volume 1. Chichester: Wiley, pp. 79-92.
Simpson, P. M, Surmon, D. J, Wesnes, K. A, & Wilcock, G. K. (1991). The cognitive drug research computerized assessment system for demented patients: A validation study. International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 6(2), 95-102.
The Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment Systems for Elderly, Aami & Demented Patients. (1992). Journal of Psychopharmacology, 6(1), 108.
Nicholl, Claire G, Lynch, Sean, Kelly, Cornelius A, White, Linda, Simpson, Pauline M, Wesnes, Keith A, & Pitt, Brice M. N. (1995). The cognitive drug research computerized assessment system in the evaluation of early dementia‐is speed of the essence? International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 10(3), 199-206.
Wesnes, K.A, McKeith, I.G, Ferrara, R, Emre, M, Del Ser, T, Spano, P.F, . . . Spiegel, R. (2002). Effects of Rivastigmine on Cognitive Function in Dementia with Lewy Bodies: A Randomised Placebo-Controlled International Study Using the Cognitive Drug Research Computerised Assessment System. Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders, 13(3), 183-192.
Wesnes KA, Pincock C, Richardson D, Helm G, Hails S. Breakfast reduces declines in attention and memory over the morning in schoolchildren. Appetite. 2003 Dec;41(3):329-31.