What is Cognitive Testing?
Cognitive tests are assessment tools used to measure various aspects of cognitive function, including memory, attention, executive function, and language skills. These tests are designed to evaluate an individual’s cognitive abilities and provide insights into their cognitive health and performance.
Cognitive tests provide direct behavioural measures of cognitive function, offering complementary information
to neuroimaging data.
While techniques such as EEG or TMS can reveal functional changes in the brain, cognitive tests help assess how these changes manifest in terms of cognitive abilities and everyday functioning. This provides a holistic understanding of the drug’s effects on the brain and behaviour.
Cognitive tests serve as sensitive indicators of drug efficacy or potential sides effects. By monitoring these changes in cognitive performance over the course of a clinical trial, researchers can evaluate the impact of the experimental drug on cognitive function. This comprehensive approach allows for a more thorough assessment of the drugs effects on both brain function and cognitive performance, enhancing the validity and reliability of the trial results.
What we offer
Experienced and trained technicians
Tried and tested standard cognitive and physiological testing protocols and procedures
Data processing and quality control checks
|
Cognitive test |
Description |
Clinical trial advantage |
|---|---|---|
|
N-Back |
Measures working memory (ability to update and manipulate information) |
Provides a measure of working memory to assess drug effects and aids trial design and interpretation |
|
Rapid Visual Information Processing (RVIP) |
Assesses speed and accuracy of processing visual information, selective attention and distraction filtering |
Standardised test ensuring comparable results, which is highly sensitive to cognitive changes |
|
Inspection Time (IT) |
Measures the speed of visual information processing and attention |
Monitors drug-drug interactions on cognitive function and identifies biomarkers of disease progression |
|
Serial Threes and Sevens |
Assesses simple arithmetic calculations, attention and concentration |
Screens individuals with poor cognitive function and monitors cognitive side effects |
|
Visual Verbal Learning Test (VVLT) |
Assesses verbal learning and memory abilities |
Assesses drug safety by monitoring adverse effects on memory |
|
Visual Analog Scale (VAS) |
Subjective measurement tool for self-reported experiences |
Detects small changes in subjective experiences, and increases the accuracy of patient-reported outcomes |
|
Symbol Digit Mo-dalities Test (SDMT) |
Assesses visual information processing, scanning speed and mental manipulation of symbols |
Simple, brief and easy to administer, with relevance to real-world functioning |
|
9 Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) |
Measures fine motor dexterity and manual speed |
Sensitive to changes in hand function and cost-effective |
|
Circle Drawing Test |
Assesses fine motor control, dexterity and visual-motor coordination |
Objective measure reducing bias, and low-cost tool for important motor function information |
What is Physiological Testing?
Our physiological tests assess various bodily functions and systems, such as visuomotor coordination, pupil dilation and posturography, to understand overall health and well-being. We are also able to offer cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampling for biomarker analysis and safety monitoring. Electromyography (EMG) can also be utilised as a marker of treatment response, by measuring changes in muscle activity or muscle tone in response to the drug.
Physiological tests offer complementary information to neuroimaging data, providing a broader understanding of the drug’s effects on physiological response. By integrating these methods, researchers can better assess
the drug’s impact.
Physiological tests serve as important safety measures to monitor potential adverse effects of the drug on normal bodily functions. By regularly assessing these parameters throughout the trial, any abnormalities or adverse reactions can be detected early on.
Integrating physiological tests with neuroimaging enhances trial reliability and validity. By assessing the drug’s effects on multiple physiological domains, researchers gain a comprehensive understanding of its overall impact, facilitating informed clinical decision-making.
|
Physiological test |
Description |
Clinical trial advantage |
|---|---|---|
|
Saccadic Eye Movement (Saccades) |
Measures ability of the eyes to make rapid movements involving coordination of neural and muscular systems |
Evaluates drug impact on fast eye movements and provides insight into neurological or vestibular disorders |
|
Smooth Pursuit |
Tracks the movement of an object with the eyes |
Serves as a surrogate marker for drug mechanism of action |
|
Visuomotor Coordination (Adaptive Tracking) |
Measures ability to coordinate visual information with movement |
Evaluates drug efficacy on co-ordination improvement and informs drug approval decisions |
|
Pupil Dilation |
Measures pupil size in response to stimuli, change in focus or drug administration |
Acts as a pharmacodynamic marker and evaluates drug safety by monitoring excessive dilation |
|
Posturography (Body Sway) |
Measures balance and stability by assessing body sway under different conditions |
Compares drug effectiveness on balance and supports clinical trial design and interpretation |
|
Electromyography (EMG) |
Measures electrical activity of muscles via electrodes placed on the body |
Marker of treatment response and measures potential side effects or adverse reactions on muscle activity |
|
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Sampling |
Medical test that involves analysing a sample of fluid (CSF) that surrounds the brain and spinal cord |
Provides direct measurement of drug concentration in the CNS for the evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new drug |
|
9 Hole Peg Test (9-HPT) |
Measures fine motor dexterity and manual speed |
Sensitive to changes in hand function and cost-effective |
|
Circle Drawing Test |
Assesses fine motor control, dexterity and visual-motor coordination |
Objective measure reducing bias, and low-cost tool for important motor function information |
Advantages for Phase I Clinical Trials
The Science Behind have the capability to tailor specific cognitive or physiological assessments within our neurostimulation and neuroimaging services for each
clinical trial.
This customisation demonstrates our deep understanding of the neurological condition and enables use to effectively evaluate the drug’s impact on it.
Clinical research services
Protocol design
We understand that effective protocol design is crucial for obtaining valuable insights into drug effects, thereby de-risking and guiding future pipeline decisions. Our neuroscience research consultants, with decades of combined experience, specialise in designing and developing scientifically rigorous protocols for both cognitive and physiological testing.Integrated solutions
We offer a comprehensive range of integrated, non-invasive solutions to stimulate and image specific brain regions, which are crucial for objectively understanding neural pathways and exploring therapeutic interventions, that can be used in combination with your desired cognitive or physiological test.Resourcing for data acquisition
Adhering to standard operating procedures and good clinical practice, we deploy highly trained and experienced neuroscience researchers and technicians to every clinical trial. Each team member is thoroughly trained on the specific technology solutions and the study’s data acquisition protocol. At the heart of this training is a commitment to consistently high-quality data acquisition.Data analysis and interpretation
Analysing and interpreting neuroscience data requires a deep understanding of complex neural systems and the techniques and technology used to capture this information. Our neuroscience research consultants, with backgrounds in clinical and scientific research, are highly skilled in developing and utilising specialised analysis pipelines for both single and multi-modal neuroscience data.Technical support
With over 15 years of hands-on experience in designing integrated non-invasive brain stimulation and imaging solutions for scientific research, our technical support specialists offer expertise in crafting technical solutions for each clinical trial. Once the trial begins, they are readily available to provide ongoing technical assistance, ensuring smooth operations with a focus on consistency and high-quality data acquisition.Bespoke services
Our team will collaborate with you to identify and select the appropriate tests and measures based on your drug candidate’s mechanism of action, data from preclinical studies, and relevant academic and scientific literature. This approach will allow us to create a tailored solution that provides meaningful and objective endpoints while seamlessly integrating with other clinical trial measurements. If you’re interested in incorporating any of these services and would like to discuss further, please get in contact!Frequently asked questions
Customising assessments allows us to tailor specific tests to the neurological condition being studied, ensuring that we can effectively evaluate the drug’s impact. This approach demonstrates our deep understanding of the condition and enhances the validity and reliability of the trial results by providing precise and relevant data.
Cognitive tests provide direct behavioural measures of cognitive function, which complement the functional changes revealed by neuroimaging techniques like EEG or TMS. By assessing how these changes manifest in cognitive abilities and everyday functioning, cognitive tests offer a holistic understanding of the drug’s effects on both brain and behaviour.
Physiological tests assess various bodily functions to understand overall health and wellbeing. They provide complementary information to neuroimaging data, monitor potential adverse effects of the drug, and enhance the reliability and validity of trial results by examining the drug’s effects across multiple physiological domains.
CSF sampling involves analysing the fluid surrounding the brain and spinal cord to provide direct measurements of drug concentration in the central nervous system (CNS). This helps evaluate the efficacy and safety of new drugs and can demonstrate blood brain barrier penetration. When deployed along side other techniques such as TMS or EEG for example, a more refined picture of functional target engagement is potentially available.