Columbia Technology Ventures

A self-reportable scale for measuring perceived cognitive change

This technology is a self-reportable measure of perceived cognitive change that can be used to track cognitive outcomes for treatment trials in neurologic populations.

Unmet Need: Self-reported measure of cognitive change

Current neuropsychological tests for multiple sclerosis assess objective impairment in controlled settings but fail to align with patients’ self-reported cognitive decline. Test administration under minimal distractions in one-on-one settings limits the ability to capture real-world cognitive challenges. Further, the existing measures focus on present cognition rather than detecting subtle cognitive changes over time.

The Technology: A validated and sensitive self-reported scale of subtle cognitive changes

This technology introduces the Cognitive Change Scale (CCS), which is a self-reported survey designed to assess cognitive changes over the past year. It captures subjective cognitive function change over time, incorporating language and executive function domains alongside traditional measures. Overall, the CCS provides a valuable tool for tracking cognitive change in neurologic populations for whom cognitive changes may be subtle or difficult to detect.

This technology has been validated in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Applications:

  • Cognitive outcome tool for multiple sclerosis evaluation
  • Early detection of cognitive decline in aging and neurodegenerative diseases
  • Screening tool for mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
  • Cognitive outcome tool for mental health
  • Self-assessment for individuals concerned about cognitive function
  • Research on cognitive resilience

Advantages:

  • Self-report format
  • Sensitive to subtle changes
  • Captures subjective experience
  • Cost-effective and scalable
  • Applicable in diverse settings

Lead Inventor:

Victoria Leavitt, Ph.D., F.A.A.N.

Related Publications:

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