Comparable performance of the NACC Uniform Data Set version 3 neuropsychological test battery in assessing longitudinal cognitive change for African American and White participants

Abstract

Introduction: Alzheimer's Disease Research Centers have used the Uniform Data Set Version 3 (UDS3) neuropsychological battery since 2015, but whether it exhibits differential sensitivity to change across race is unknown. We examined whether the UDS3 cognitive battery was comparably sensitive to longitudinal change between African American and White participants. Methods: Data were obtained from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC). Linear mixed-effects models examined racial differences in baseline and longitudinal change in standardized test scores, controlling for age, sex, education, recruitment source, health factors, family history of dementia, and diagnostic groups defined by baseline and longitudinal changes in Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scores. Results: Compared to White participants, African American participants had significantly lower baseline Z-scores on all tests (difference: -0.097 to -0.592). Nevertheless, differences in longitudinal decline were non-significant (annualized difference: -0.018 to 0.031). Discussion: Despite baseline score differences, longitudinal change relative to clinical ratings appears comparable across racial groups. Highlights: Version 3 of the NACC Uniform Data Set neuropsychological battery (UDS3) has been implemented since 2015 and administered to over 14,000 participants. We observed small differences in longitudinal decline across all test scores when comparing White and African American participants. The findings support the continued use of the UDS3 battery in ADRCs and its potential applicability in other studies of cognitive aging and decline.