[Cognitive Screening for Dementia Using Simple Neuropsychological Tests: New Developments through Digital Technology].

Abstract

With the rapid aging population, the prevalence of dementia and mild cognitive impairment is increasing and is estimated to be >10 million by 2025 in Japan. The emergence of anti-amyloid β-antibody therapies has heightened the importance of early screening to identify treatment candidates. Traditional paper-based neuropsychological tests, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination and Hasegawa Dementia Scale-Revised, are highly reliable but have limitations related to educational background and examiner dependency. Recently, digital screening tools incorporating AI-based analysis and eye tracking technology have been introduced, offering rapid, reproducible, and objective assessments. This article compares conventional methods and new technologies and discusses the challenges in clinical implementation and future perspectives.