2543 - CHARACTERIZING SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE AND VALIDATING A MULTIDIMENSIONAL SCREENING TOOL MASCOD FOR EARLY DETECTION

Session: D02S012 - Scale Development 3
AUTHORS:
Magnani Annalisa (Department of Psychology, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore ~ Milano ~ Italy) , Pierobon Antonia (Psychology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Montescano Institute ~ Montescano ~ Italy) , Mafferra Alessandra (Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Area, ASST di Pavia ~ Pavia ~ Italy) , Pasotti Fabrizio (Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Area, ASST di Pavia & Department of Rehabilitation ASST Pavia ~ Pavia ~ Italy) , Dallocchio Carlo (Neurology Unit, Department of Medical Area, ASST di Pavia ~ Pavia ~ Italy) , Chimento Pierluigi (Neurophysiopathology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Montescano Institute ~ Montescano ~ Italy) , Torlaschi Valeria (Psychology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Montescano Institute ~ Montescano ~ Italy) , Trifirò Giuseppe (Nuclear Medicine Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Pavia Institute ~ Pavia ~ Italy) , Fundarò Cira (Neurophysiopathology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Montescano Institute ~ Montescano ~ Italy) , Maffoni Marina (Psychology Unit, Istituti Clinici Scientifici Maugeri IRCCS, Montescano Institute ~ Montescano ~ Italy)
Abstract text:
Introduction: Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) has increasingly been identified as a potential early marker of neurodegenerative diseases. However, its heterogeneity makes the assessment challenging, thereby complicating early diagnosis and intervention. Current assessment tools often fail to adopt a multidimensional approach that integrates both cognitive and psychological factors, an essential consideration given their substantial influence on the manifestation of SCD and their critical role in differential diagnosis. Purpose: The present study aims to characterize a clinical population with SCD and to provide preliminary MASCoD validation (Multidimensional Assessment of Subjective Cognitive Decline), a novel multidimensional screening battery designed to detect early cognitive and psychological alterations associated with SCD. Method: A cohort of 59 individuals reporting SCD, yet exhibiting no objective cognitive impairment, were recruited from two clinical centers in Northern Italy. All participants completed an extensive battery of neuropsychological, neurological, and psychological evaluations. The study assessed the internal consistency of the MASCoD and its convergent validity with the Cognitive Function Instrument (CFI). Additionally, associations among MASCoD subscales, depressive (PHQ-9) and anxiety (GAD-7) symptoms, and cognitive performance were explored. Finally, short and long forms of psychological symptoms were compared. Results: Participants displayed preserved cognitive performance. Data showed the presence of mild depressive symptoms, which were significantly associated with SCD and accounting for about 10% of variance. MASCoD demonstrated good internal consistency (KR-20=0.782) and moderate-to-strong convergent validity with CFI. Notably, short measures of depression and anxiety tended to underestimate symptom severity compared to long forms. Conclusions: This study delineates the demographic, neuropsychological, and psychological profile of older adults with SCD, emphasizing the importance of psychological assessment in early cognitive screening. Preliminary validation indicates MASCoD as a reliable tool for multidimensional assessment, capturing cognitive and emotional factors crucial for early detection and intervention in aging populations at risk for neurodegeneration. Further validation is needed.