Italian adaptation of the Uniform Data Set Neuropsychological Test Battery (I-UDSNB 1.0): development and normative data

Background Neuropsychological testing plays a cardinal role in the diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease. A major concern is represented by the heterogeneity of the neuropsychological batteries currently adopted in memory clinics and healthcare centers. The current study aimed to solve this issue. Methods Following the initiative of the University of Washington's National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center (NACC), we presented the Italian adaptation of the Neuropsychological Test Battery of the Uniform Data Set (I-UDSNB). We collected data from 433 healthy Italian individuals and employed regression models to evaluate the impact of demographic variables on the performance, deriving the reference norms. Results Higher education and lower age were associated with a better performance in the majority of tests, while sex affected only fluency tests and Digit Span Forward. Conclusions The I-UDSNB offers a valuable and harmonized tool for neuropsychological testing in Italy, to be used in clinical and research settings.

Automated summary

This study aimed to address the issue of heterogeneity in neuropsychological testing by presenting the Italian adaptation of the Uniform Data Set. Data from healthy Italian individuals were collected and regression models were used to derive reference norms. The results showed that higher education and younger age were associated with better performance in most tests, while sex only had an impact on specific tests.