Quantitative and Qualitative Analyses of Cube Test in Alzheimer’s Disease and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Objective

: To study the 2 scoring systems of cube copying (CERAD - Consortium to Establish A Registry for Alzheimer’s disease and Maeshima) among Patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and control group of patients without dementia symptoms and with normal range of neuropsychological scores

Methods

: This study is a retrospective analytic study by chart review of 2 scoring systems of cube copying test. Subjects were patients in memory clinic from 2005 to 2014. Two hundred forty two patients were classified into group of AD (n=62), MCI (n=77) and control (n=103). Each of cube copying test was calculated by CERAD and Maeshima methods and then analyzed by descriptive analytic, Chi square test, and oneway ANOVA.

Results

: The summation of cube score by CERAD and Maeshima method in AD groups was lowest (CERAD 2.03 and Maeshima 12.95) follow by MCI (CERAD 3.59 and Maeshima 18.83) and control group was highest (CERAD 3.59 and Maeshima 18.83) (p-value <0.001). There is no statistical significant difference from CERAD to Maeshima method. We found the corners and the planes of Maeshima methods were statistical significant to differentiate the diagnosis among AD, MCI and control.

Conclusion

: CERAD and Maeshima scoring methods could be used as a reconfirmation for the diagnosis of MCI and AD as total scores from both methods indicate significant statistical relationship with the diagnosis.When applied to MCI group the wrong corners and planes on left side of the cube have been found. In contrast, patients in AD group often make a mistake in all corners and almost every plane compared with control group.