A preclinical cognitive test battery to parallel the National Institute of Health Toolbox in humans: Bridging the translational gap

Shikha Snigdha*, Norton W. Milgram, Sherry L. Willis, Marylin Albert, S. Weintraub, Norbert J. Fortin, Carl W. Cotman

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

A major goal of animal research is to identify interventions that can promote successful aging and delay or reverse age-related cognitive decline in humans. Recent advances in standardizing cognitive assessment tools for humans have the potential to bring preclinical work closer to human research in aging and Alzheimer's disease. The National Institute of Health (NIH) has led an initiative to develop a comprehensive Toolbox for Neurologic Behavioral Function (NIH Toolbox) to evaluate cognitive, motor, sensory and emotional function for use in epidemiologic and clinical studies spanning 3 to 85 years of age. This paper aims to analyze the strengths and limitations of animal behavioral tests that can be used to parallel those in the NIH Toolbox. We conclude that there are several paradigms available to define a preclinical battery that parallels the NIH Toolbox. We also suggest areas in which new tests may benefit the development of a comprehensive preclinical test battery for assessment of cognitive function in animal models of aging and Alzheimer's disease.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1891-1901
Number of pages11
JournalNeurobiology of Aging
Volume34
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2013

Funding

Keywords

  • Animal models
  • Attention
  • Episodic memory
  • Executive function
  • NIH Toolbox
  • Processing speed
  • Working memory

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience
  • Aging
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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