%0 Journal Article %J J Alzheimers Dis %D 2017 %T Age and Graphomotor Decision Making Assessed with the Digital Clock Drawing Test: The Framingham Heart Study. %A Piers, Ryan J %A Devlin, Kathryn N %A Ning, Boting %A Liu, Yulin %A Wasserman, Ben %A Massaro, Joseph M %A Lamar, Melissa %A Price, Catherine C %A Swenson, Rod %A Davis, Randall %A Penney, Dana L %A Au, Rhoda %A Libon, David J %X

BACKGROUND: Digital Clock Drawing Test (dCDT) technology enables the examination of detailed neurocognitive behavior as behavior unfolds in real time; a capability that cannot be obtained using a traditional pen and paper testing format.

OBJECTIVE: Parameters obtained from the dCDT were used to investigate neurocognitive constructs related to higher-order neurocognitive decision making and information processing speed. The current research sought to determine the effect of age as related to combined motor and non-motor components of drawing, and higher-order decision making latencies.

METHODS: A large group of stroke- and dementia- free Framingham Heart Study participants were administered the dCDT to command and copy with hands set for "10 after 11". Six age groups (age range 28-98) were constructed.

RESULTS: Differences between age groups were found for total time to completion, total pen stroke count, and higher-order decision making latencies in both command and copy test conditions.

CONCLUSION: Longer age-related decision making latencies may reflect a greater need for working memory and increased self-monitoring in older subjects. These latency measures have potential to serve as neurocognitive biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and other insidious neurodegenerative disorders.

%B J Alzheimers Dis %V 60 %P 1611-1620 %8 2017 %G eng %N 4 %1 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29036819?dopt=Abstract %R 10.3233/JAD-170444