Inner-Age provides cognitive testing through our partners CogState Ltd. CogState's diagnostic tool provides rapid and accurate measurement of cognitive function (decision making, problem solving, psychomotor function, learning and memory).  Inner-Age uses their tool named “CogHealth” to test the patient, this tool provides 5 biomarkers for the Inner-Age system.

The tests allow a patient’s cognitive function to be monitored, providing objective information and insight into the patient’s well being when followed over time, it can also be used to assist the medical diagnosis of cognitive decline and to monitor the results of therapy on cognitive performance. It does not diagnose the cause of changes in cognitive performance.

Setting Up a Test with CogHealth
Testing with CogHealth is relatively simple, and involves several steps. For the first test, a patient profile is created which includes their non-identifying username (i.e.. a unique unit record number), birth year, highest education attained, handedness, sex, and preferred language. This profile is then stored and can be used immediately for testing or stored for later use. Repeat testing can use this same profile to save re-entering the same information. Once a patient is selected, the "Start Test" button is clicked. The supervisor has to follow the prompts from the presented panels and finally decide whether this is a baseline or subsequent test. Generally the first test should be designated a baseline test, with subsequent ones set to be follow-up tests.

It is important that the patient be comfortable, rested and away from possible distractions during testing. If the patient is taking their first test, a practice test is highly recommended to familiarize the patient with the tasks and eliminate further practice effects. After completion of the test the patient will hear an applause.
 

How The Test Works
CogHealth use playing cards to present simple questions for the patient.

The answers are given by two keys on the keyboard. These are equivalent to "Yes" and "No" keys, which are to be pressed after a card turns face up in the center of the screen. For example, there is a task where the question is asked "Is the card red?". If a red card did come up, then the "Yes" key should be pressed. Responses are timed, so faster, more accurate responses are better. Every aspect of test behavior is recorded.

There are 5 tasks, including a simple reaction time task (presented first and last), choice reaction time task, working memory task, divided attention task, and a quite difficult new learning task. All are done using cards and with very simple interactive instructions.

The tests provides a baseline for future comparisons, providing regular comparisons of cognitive performance. Inner-Age provide 5 biomarkers of aging, all with a very high correlation with age. The test is able to assess therapeutic responses for early alzheimer's disease, dementia, depression etc.

CogHealth is specifically designed to detect changes in healthy or mildly impaired patients as early as possible. It is not designed to be used in patients with clear cognitive difficulties.  Clinic administrators require no neuropsychological or medical expertise, and the patients require only minimal computer experience.

CogHealth is designed to be reliable over repeated testing in the same individual; the responses are recorded to give a measure of speed using reaction times, and also to measure accuracy.
CogHealth is not designed to determine impairment after a single test but facilitates an assessment of whether change has occurred over time; the test is based on established scientific principles. Evidence validating CogHealth is contained in more than 20 publications in peer-reviewed international scientific journals importantly; CogHealth is objective and cannot be faked unlike self-rated symptom inventories and some other neuropsychological tests.

CogState Ltd has headquarters in Melbourne, Australia. More information about CogHealth can be found at www.coghealth.com

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