Equivalence of the FCSRT and RAVLT to detect medial Temporal lobe atrophy and tauopathy

In AD research, word-learning tests are often used interchangeably despite using distinct learning protocols. This study verified the equivalence of the Rey Auditory Learning Test (RAVLT) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) when investigating medial temporal lobe (MTL) changes and AD-related tau pathology. We obtained the FCSRT and RAVLT immediate and delayed free recalls from 286 participants aged 51+. We segmented MTL regions to obtain the volume and tau-PET signal using the [<sup>18</sup>F]MK-6240 tracer. Tau-PET Braak stages and plasma p-tau<sub>181</sub>, p-tau<sub>217</sub> and p-tau<sub>231</sub> quantifications were also acquired. Using partial correlations, we compared FCSRT to RAVLT as well as their ability to detect the cognitive status the AD biomarker results. FCSRT and RAVLT were strongly correlated to one another (R > 0.779), with similar differentiation of cognitively impaired and cognitively unimpaired individuals (AUC > 0.810). Both predicted MTL volume, MTL tau-PET accumulation, plasma p-tau and Braak stages similarly, with no significant effect size differences. For all tests, a subtle memory impairment was found at tau-PET Braak stage III, while more robust impairments were found at stage IV onward. Despite their differences, both the RAVLT and FCSRT are equivalent at detecting AD-related pathology and symptoms, suggesting that, in these contexts, they may be used interchangeably. However, these results should be interpreted with care since the sample is not representative of a global population.

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Publication Details

Journal
Scientific Reports
Published
2025-10-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-21260-7
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
1.39

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article

Equivalence of the FCSRT and RAVLT to detect medial Temporal lobe atrophy and tauopathy

Yasser Iturria‐Medina, Joseph Therriault, Kaj Blennow, Jesse Klostranec et al.
1 citations
Scientific Reports
Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
1.39
article

Equivalence of the FCSRT and RAVLT to detect medial Temporal lobe atrophy and tauopathy

Yasser Iturria‐Medina, Joseph Therriault, Kaj Blennow, Jesse Klostranec, Jaime Fernández Arias, Nesrine Rahmouni, Andréa Lessa Benedet, Arthur C. Macedo, Thomas K. Karikari, Tevy Chan, Brandon J. Hall, Stijn Servaes, Gallen Triana‐Baltzer, Maxime Montembeault, Hartmuth C. Kolb, Étienne Aumont, Gleb Bezgin, Pedro Rosa‐Neto, Diana López, Paolo Vitali, Nicholas J. Ashton, Seyyed Ali Hosseini, Serge Gauthier, Jenna Stevenson, Henrik Zetterberg, Nina Margherita Poltronetti, Lydia Trudel, Kelly Amiel
article en
1 citations

Abstract

In AD research, word-learning tests are often used interchangeably despite using distinct learning protocols. This study verified the equivalence of the Rey Auditory Learning Test (RAVLT) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) when investigating medial temporal lobe (MTL) changes and AD-related tau pathology. We obtained the FCSRT and RAVLT immediate and delayed free recalls from 286 participants aged 51+. We segmented MTL regions to obtain the volume and tau-PET signal using the [<sup>18</sup>F]MK-6240 tracer. Tau-PET Braak stages and plasma p-tau<sub>181</sub>, p-tau<sub>217</sub> and p-tau<sub>231</sub> quantifications were also acquired. Using partial correlations, we compared FCSRT to RAVLT as well as their ability to detect the cognitive status the AD biomarker results. FCSRT and RAVLT were strongly correlated to one another (R > 0.779), with similar differentiation of cognitively impaired and cognitively unimpaired individuals (AUC > 0.810). Both predicted MTL volume, MTL tau-PET accumulation, plasma p-tau and Braak stages similarly, with no significant effect size differences. For all tests, a subtle memory impairment was found at tau-PET Braak stage III, while more robust impairments were found at stage IV onward. Despite their differences, both the RAVLT and FCSRT are equivalent at detecting AD-related pathology and symptoms, suggesting that, in these contexts, they may be used interchangeably. However, these results should be interpreted with care since the sample is not representative of a global population.

Scientific ReportsVol. 15(1)
Montreal Neurological Institute and Hospital (CA), Allen Institute for Brain Science (US), Johnson & Johnson (United States) (US), University of Wisconsin–Madison (US), University of Pittsburgh (US), Douglas Mental Health University Institute (CA), Hong Kong Science and Technology Parks Corporation (HK), Sahlgrenska University Hospital (SE), McGill University Health Centre (CA), Knoxville College (US), RR Donnelley (United States) (US), UK Dementia Research Institute (GB), Banner Sun Health Research Institute (US), National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (GB), University College London (GB), McGill University (CA), Indian Institute of Science Bangalore (IN), University of Gothenburg (SE)
Alzheimer's Association, McGill University, Consortium canadien en neurodégénérescence associée au vieillissement, Canadian Institutes of Health Research
Openalex Percentile: Top 14%
Parkinson's Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
1.39
DOIOpen Access PDFOpenAlex
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