Modern methods of cognitive functions analysis (literature review, part 1)

Abstract

In the field of modern medicine, there is a significant focus on addressing cognitive impairments due to their widespread prevalence and substantial impact on patients' quality of life. The human brain's cognitive functions are closely tied to a wide range of structural and functional characteristics of individual brain regions, as well as the specific interactions between these regions. When individuals engage in cognitive activities, such as solving complex tasks, the efficiency of processing and transmitting information between different brain areas becomes a key consideration. Each of these brain regions is meticulously designed to assess various neuropsychological functions, including memory, language, executive function, abstract thinking, attention, and visuospatial abilities. Recently, healthcare professionals and researchers have been increasingly focusing on pre-dementia (mild and moderate) cognitive impairments. The spectrum of cognitive impairments in the elderly is broad, encompassing not only dementia and Alzheimer's disease but also less severe, moderate cognitive impairments. Assessment tools vary, ranging from those designed to evaluate a single neuropsychological domain to comprehensive neuropsychological testing, which evaluates all neuropsychological domains. This review provides an analysis of the most common modern methods, including classical neuropsychological tests and the use of eye-tracking technology, which offers quantitative assessment and sensitive detection of cognitive impairments in conditions such as dementia, concussion, traumatic brain injuries, autism spectrum disorders, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, among others. The review also discusses the advantages and limitations of these methodologies, highlighting the necessity of a comprehensive approach to assessing cognitive functions. This comprehensive approach is crucial for diagnosing both severe and mild cognitive impairments, evaluating brain damage, determining decision-making capacity, and testing for intellectual disabilities. Keywords: psychophysiological tests, brain, cognitive disorders, screening test, dementia.