Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System (COGDRAS)
Background
The Cognitive Drug Research Computerized Assessment System (COGDRAS) is a behavioral-based assessment battery 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-D 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. The Millisecond COGDRAS procedure is based on the task descriptions by Nicholls et al (1995).
Task Procedure
The complete Millisecond COGDRAS procedure starts with a short training module that introduces participants to the 'YES' (Q-key) and NO (P-key) response buttons which are used throughout the testing session. The training instructions adapt if the test is run on touchscreens without an external keyboard. Each subtest uses a similar User Interface.
The eight subtests are automatically started and run in a fixed order.
Subtest 1: Immediate Word Recognition Test
A 3-minute test to test immediate word recognition as a measure of short term memory. Participants view a list of 12 words, presented one by one for three seconds each. Immediately afterwards they are given a recognition test of 24 words (12 old, 12 new) and are asked to press the YES-key for words previously seen and press the NO-key for new words. No time limit is imposed on the choices.
Subtest 2: Picture Presentation
A 2-minute image presentation procedure for a delayed picture recognition test as a measure of episodic long-term memory. The images are taken from the Snodgrass & Vanderwart (1980) picture data base. Participants are presented 14 images for a later recognition task. Each image is presented for three seconds.
Subtest 3: Number Vigilance Test
A 3-minute test of sustained attention and cognitive control. Participants view a stream of digits presented in the middle of the screen, one at a time. A new digit is presented every 750ms (for a presentation Rate of: 80 words/minute). Whenever the digit is the same as the target digit (which is presented on the right of the screen throughout the task), participants have to press the YES-key. Otherwise they are instructed to not do anything but stay vigilant and wait for the next digit.
Subtest 4: Simple Reaction Time Test
A 3-minute assessment of behavioral alertness under minimal cognitive load, tracking response times to unpredictable visual stimuli over a sustained period of time. Participants are asked to press a the YES-key whenever the word YES appears in the middle of the screen. Words appear every 1000-2500ms.
Subtest 5: Choice Reaction Time Test
A 2-minute assessment of alertness and the speed and accuracy of cognitive processing, specifically simple decision making. Participants are asked to press the YES-key whenever the word YES appears in the middle of the screen and press the NO-key when the word NO appears. Words appear every 1000-2500ms. Half the trials present the word YES, the other half present the word NO. Order is determined randomly.
Subtest 6: Memory Scanning Test
A 2-minute assessment of the speed and efficiency with which an individual's brain retrieves and searches for information stored in short-term memory. Participants view an initial triplet of digits (presented serially, one after other, e.g. 458). They then view a series of 18 digits, presented one-by-one, and have to decide whether the presented digit was one of the original triplet by pressing the YES- or NO-key. Twelve trials present a foil (e.g. 7) and six trials present a target (e.g. 5). Digits stay on screen until a response is made.
Subtest 7: Delayed Word Recognition Test
2-minute assessment test of episodic, word long-term memory. Participants are given 24 words (12 old, 12 new) in randomized order and are asked to press a dedicated YES-key for words previously seen and press a dedicated NO-key for new words. The 'old' words were previously presented during the Immediate Word Recognition Task (Subtest 1). No time limit is imposed on the choices.
Subtest 8: Picture Recognition Test
2-minute assessment test of episodic, visual long-term memory. Participants are given 28 pictures (14 old, 14 new) in randomized order and are asked to press a dedicated YES-key for pictures previously seen and press a dedicated NO-key for new pictures. The 'old' words were previously presented during the Picture Presentation Phase (Subtest 2). No time limit is imposed on the choices.
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
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.