B – 127 Development of a Novel Recognition Discriminability Task for the NEUROPSI Breve Semi-Complex Figure in the Boston Latino Aging Study (BLAST)

Abstract Objective Tasks measuring recognition memory are useful in evaluating neurodegenerative processes like Alzheimer’s and related dementias (ADRD). Several options exist for visual recognition memory in English. Less is available for Spanish-speaking, older Latinos of diverse educational backgrounds. We developed a recognition task for the Semi-Complex Figure from the NEUROPSI Breve, examining the relationship between performance on this novel task and a validated verbal recognition memory task. Method A total of 25 cognitively unimpaired (determined by MMSE scores, M=27.44 [SD=1.9]), Spanish-speaking older Latinos (Mage=66.04 [SD=7.65], Meducation=12.88 [SD=4.77], 68% female) from the Boston Latino Aging Study (BLAST) were included. As part of a larger battery, participants were administered the visual construction and delayed recall NEUROPSI Semi-Complex Figure task, followed by the novel recognition memory task. Participants were also administered the NEUROPSI list-learning task that was followed by delay and recognition trials. Partial spearman correlations were used to examine the association between the novel Semi-Complex recognition task and the NEUROPSI verbal recognition memory task, controlling for age, education, and sex. Results Word list recognition memory was moderately, positively associated with the novel semi-complex recognition memory task (r=0.50, p=0.02), after controlling for age, education, and sex. The novel recognition task was not associated with construction of the figure (r=0.02, p=0.92) or delayed recall (r=0.30, p=0.18). Conclusion Preliminary results indicate this newly developed visual recognition memory task was positively associated with a validated verbal recognition memory measure. Small sample size was a limitation. Future studies with larger sample sizes should examine the association in impaired populations with known memory dysfunction.