Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study

Phoebe Ivain; Asaad Baksh; Fedal Saini; Mina Idris; Miren Tamayo-Elizalde; Jasmine Wells; Bessy Benejam; Sandra Virginia Loosli; Katja Sandkühler; Elisabeth Wlasich; Olivia Wagemann; Johannes Levin; Diane Martet; Silvia Sacco; Ségolène Falquero; Manon Clert; Anne Sophie Rebillat; Wan Ming Khoo; Madelaine Amelia Smith; Jessica Beresford-Webb; Shahid Zaman; María Carmona-Iragui; Laura Videla; Juan Fortea; Ellen Melbye Langballe; Ingrid Tøndel Medbøen; Frode Kibsgaard Larsen; Eleni Baldimtsi; Raphaella Paradisi; Panagiotis Ntailakis; Magdalini Tsolaki; Georgia Papantoniou; Eimear McGlinchey; Mary McCarron; Seán Kennelly; André Strydom

doi:10.1002/alz.70071

Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study

Phoebe Ivain^*, Asaad Baksh, Fedal Saini, Mina Idris, Miren Tamayo-Elizalde, Jasmine Wells, Bessy Benejam, Sandra Virginia Loosli, Katja Sandkühler, Elisabeth Wlasich, Olivia Wagemann, Johannes Levin, Diane Martet, Silvia Sacco, Ségolène Falquero, Manon Clert, Anne Sophie Rebillat, Wan Ming Khoo, Madelaine Amelia Smith, Jessica Beresford-WebbShahid Zaman, María Carmona-Iragui, Laura Videla, Juan Fortea, Ellen Melbye Langballe, Ingrid Tøndel Medbøen, Frode Kibsgaard Larsen, Eleni Baldimtsi, Raphaella Paradisi, Panagiotis Ntailakis, Magdalini Tsolaki, Georgia Papantoniou, Eimear McGlinchey, Mary McCarron, Seán Kennelly, André Strydom

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS) is a sensitive cognitive test for Alzheimer's disease (AD)–related decline in people with DS, but needs updates for sensitivity, cultural adaptability, and additional memory/executive function items. This study aimed to develop and validate the CAMCOG-DS-II. METHODS: In this multi-language, multi-site study, the psychometric properties of the CAMCOG-DS-II were evaluated against previously validated measures in 223 participants (mean age: 40.18 years) with DS across seven countries. RESULTS: The CAMCOG-DS-II had a high completion rate, minimal floor/ceiling effects (compared to the modified Cued Recall Test, the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning, and the Purdue Pegboard), strong validity and reliability, and performance was unaffected by language across sites. It differentiated between those with/without AD and distinguished clinically rated cognitively stable and prodromal individuals. CONCLUSION: The CAMCOG-DS-II is a sensitive measure of cognitive performance in people with DS at risk of AD. Its cross-language and site reliability support its potential use in AD–DS clinical trials. Highlights: Developed and validated the Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS-II) for Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. CAMCOG-DS-II shows increased sensitivity to Alzheimer's disease–related decline in Down syndrome. Improved applicability across an international and culturally diverse population. Differentiates Alzheimer's disease status: cognitively stable, prodromal, and clinical.

Original language	English
Article number	e70071
Journal	Alzheimer's and Dementia
Volume	21
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70071
Publication status	Published - Mar 2025

Keywords

Alzheimer's disease
cognitive decline
cognitive testing
Down syndrome
trisomy 21

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10.1002/alz.70071

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Ivain, P., Baksh, A., Saini, F., Idris, M., Tamayo-Elizalde, M., Wells, J., Benejam, B., Loosli, S. V., Sandkühler, K., Wlasich, E., Wagemann, O., Levin, J., Martet, D., Sacco, S., Falquero, S., Clert, M., Rebillat, A. S., Khoo, W. M., Smith, M. A., ... Strydom, A. (2025). Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study. Alzheimer's and Dementia, 21(3), Article e70071. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70071

@article{f5a7d3dddc014d639b70f52436c1ee5e,

title = "Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study",

abstract = "INTRODUCTION: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS) is a sensitive cognitive test for Alzheimer's disease (AD)–related decline in people with DS, but needs updates for sensitivity, cultural adaptability, and additional memory/executive function items. This study aimed to develop and validate the CAMCOG-DS-II. METHODS: In this multi-language, multi-site study, the psychometric properties of the CAMCOG-DS-II were evaluated against previously validated measures in 223 participants (mean age: 40.18 years) with DS across seven countries. RESULTS: The CAMCOG-DS-II had a high completion rate, minimal floor/ceiling effects (compared to the modified Cued Recall Test, the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning, and the Purdue Pegboard), strong validity and reliability, and performance was unaffected by language across sites. It differentiated between those with/without AD and distinguished clinically rated cognitively stable and prodromal individuals. CONCLUSION: The CAMCOG-DS-II is a sensitive measure of cognitive performance in people with DS at risk of AD. Its cross-language and site reliability support its potential use in AD–DS clinical trials. Highlights: Developed and validated the Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS-II) for Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. CAMCOG-DS-II shows increased sensitivity to Alzheimer's disease–related decline in Down syndrome. Improved applicability across an international and culturally diverse population. Differentiates Alzheimer's disease status: cognitively stable, prodromal, and clinical.",

keywords = "Alzheimer's disease, cognitive decline, cognitive testing, Down syndrome, trisomy 21",

author = "Phoebe Ivain and Asaad Baksh and Fedal Saini and Mina Idris and Miren Tamayo-Elizalde and Jasmine Wells and Bessy Benejam and Loosli, {Sandra Virginia} and Katja Sandk{\"u}hler and Elisabeth Wlasich and Olivia Wagemann and Johannes Levin and Diane Martet and Silvia Sacco and S{\'e}gol{\`e}ne Falquero and Manon Clert and Rebillat, {Anne Sophie} and Khoo, {Wan Ming} and Smith, {Madelaine Amelia} and Jessica Beresford-Webb and Shahid Zaman and Mar{\'i}a Carmona-Iragui and Laura Videla and Juan Fortea and Langballe, {Ellen Melbye} and Medb{\o}en, {Ingrid T{\o}ndel} and Larsen, {Frode Kibsgaard} and Eleni Baldimtsi and Raphaella Paradisi and Panagiotis Ntailakis and Magdalini Tsolaki and Georgia Papantoniou and Eimear McGlinchey and Mary McCarron and Se{\'a}n Kennelly and Andr{\'e} Strydom",

note = "Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2025 The Author(s). Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.",

year = "2025",

month = mar,

doi = "10.1002/alz.70071",

language = "English",

volume = "21",

journal = "Alzheimer's and Dementia",

issn = "1552-5260",

number = "3",

}

Ivain, P , Baksh, A , Saini, F , Idris, M , Tamayo-Elizalde, M , Wells, J, Benejam, B, Loosli, SV, Sandkühler, K, Wlasich, E, Wagemann, O, Levin, J, Martet, D, Sacco, S, Falquero, S, Clert, M, Rebillat, AS, Khoo, WM, Smith, MA, Beresford-Webb, J, Zaman, S, Carmona-Iragui, M, Videla, L, Fortea, J, Langballe, EM, Medbøen, IT, Larsen, FK, Baldimtsi, E, Paradisi, R, Ntailakis, P, Tsolaki, M, Papantoniou, G, McGlinchey, E, McCarron, M, Kennelly, S & Strydom, A 2025, 'Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study', Alzheimer's and Dementia, vol. 21, no. 3, e70071. https://doi.org/10.1002/alz.70071

TY - JOUR

T1 - Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome

T2 - A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study

AU - Ivain, Phoebe

AU - Baksh, Asaad

AU - Saini, Fedal

AU - Idris, Mina

AU - Tamayo-Elizalde, Miren

AU - Wells, Jasmine

AU - Benejam, Bessy

AU - Loosli, Sandra Virginia

AU - Sandkühler, Katja

AU - Wlasich, Elisabeth

AU - Wagemann, Olivia

AU - Levin, Johannes

AU - Martet, Diane

AU - Sacco, Silvia

AU - Falquero, Ségolène

AU - Clert, Manon

AU - Rebillat, Anne Sophie

AU - Khoo, Wan Ming

AU - Smith, Madelaine Amelia

AU - Beresford-Webb, Jessica

AU - Zaman, Shahid

AU - Carmona-Iragui, María

AU - Videla, Laura

AU - Fortea, Juan

AU - Langballe, Ellen Melbye

AU - Medbøen, Ingrid Tøndel

AU - Larsen, Frode Kibsgaard

AU - Baldimtsi, Eleni

AU - Paradisi, Raphaella

AU - Ntailakis, Panagiotis

AU - Tsolaki, Magdalini

AU - Papantoniou, Georgia

AU - McGlinchey, Eimear

AU - McCarron, Mary

AU - Kennelly, Seán

AU - Strydom, André

PY - 2025/3

Y1 - 2025/3

N2 - INTRODUCTION: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS) is a sensitive cognitive test for Alzheimer's disease (AD)–related decline in people with DS, but needs updates for sensitivity, cultural adaptability, and additional memory/executive function items. This study aimed to develop and validate the CAMCOG-DS-II. METHODS: In this multi-language, multi-site study, the psychometric properties of the CAMCOG-DS-II were evaluated against previously validated measures in 223 participants (mean age: 40.18 years) with DS across seven countries. RESULTS: The CAMCOG-DS-II had a high completion rate, minimal floor/ceiling effects (compared to the modified Cued Recall Test, the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning, and the Purdue Pegboard), strong validity and reliability, and performance was unaffected by language across sites. It differentiated between those with/without AD and distinguished clinically rated cognitively stable and prodromal individuals. CONCLUSION: The CAMCOG-DS-II is a sensitive measure of cognitive performance in people with DS at risk of AD. Its cross-language and site reliability support its potential use in AD–DS clinical trials. Highlights: Developed and validated the Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS-II) for Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. CAMCOG-DS-II shows increased sensitivity to Alzheimer's disease–related decline in Down syndrome. Improved applicability across an international and culturally diverse population. Differentiates Alzheimer's disease status: cognitively stable, prodromal, and clinical.

AB - INTRODUCTION: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS) is a sensitive cognitive test for Alzheimer's disease (AD)–related decline in people with DS, but needs updates for sensitivity, cultural adaptability, and additional memory/executive function items. This study aimed to develop and validate the CAMCOG-DS-II. METHODS: In this multi-language, multi-site study, the psychometric properties of the CAMCOG-DS-II were evaluated against previously validated measures in 223 participants (mean age: 40.18 years) with DS across seven countries. RESULTS: The CAMCOG-DS-II had a high completion rate, minimal floor/ceiling effects (compared to the modified Cued Recall Test, the CANTAB Paired Associates Learning, and the Purdue Pegboard), strong validity and reliability, and performance was unaffected by language across sites. It differentiated between those with/without AD and distinguished clinically rated cognitively stable and prodromal individuals. CONCLUSION: The CAMCOG-DS-II is a sensitive measure of cognitive performance in people with DS at risk of AD. Its cross-language and site reliability support its potential use in AD–DS clinical trials. Highlights: Developed and validated the Cambridge Cognitive Examination modified for use in people with Down syndrome (CAMCOG-DS-II) for Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome. CAMCOG-DS-II shows increased sensitivity to Alzheimer's disease–related decline in Down syndrome. Improved applicability across an international and culturally diverse population. Differentiates Alzheimer's disease status: cognitively stable, prodromal, and clinical.

KW - Alzheimer's disease

KW - cognitive decline

KW - cognitive testing

KW - Down syndrome

KW - trisomy 21

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=105001946442&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/alz.70071

DO - 10.1002/alz.70071

M3 - Article

C2 - 40145416

AN - SCOPUS:105001946442

SN - 1552-5260

VL - 21

JO - Alzheimer's and Dementia

JF - Alzheimer's and Dementia

IS - 3

M1 - e70071

ER -

Validation of the CAMCOG-DS-II, a neuropsychological test battery for Alzheimer's disease in people with Down syndrome: A Horizon 21 European Down syndrome Consortium study

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Keywords

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