A feasibility study for a new neurocognitive battery for profiling cognition in people with intellectual disabilities

Abstract

Individuals with an Intellectual Disability are at an increased risk of Dementia. This risk is even more pronounced in those with Down’s Syndrome. New cognitive measures are needed to reliably screen, monitor and diagnose dementia quicky using standardised assessment procedures. This study aimed to explore the feasibility and acceptability of a new cognitive measure, the ‘Newocogutive Battery for Intellectual Disabilities’ (NBID). This included obtaining service user feedback to ensure co-production, inform administration times, as well as identify initial floor and ceiling effects across test items. Early findings suggest good face validity, feasibility, and acceptability of this measure, which aims to address limitations with current assessment practices for individuals with Intellectual Disabilities.Easy to read summary■Dementia is a condition that can affect people as they get older.■This is an illness in the brain that can make it harder to remember or do things.■People with an intellectual disability can be at higher risk of developing dementia. This risk is even higher if individuals have Down’s Syndrome.■It is helpful to have tests that look for changes in thinking skills. They let us know if someone might have dementia and need help.■We have made a new test to look at thinking skills. We hope this will be helpful in the future for diagnosing dementia.■We asked people with Down’s Syndrome to let us know what was good and what we should change about the test.■We have learnt how to make the test better. We will now try the new test with more people.