A New Method for the Assessment of Discourse Comprehension Abilities of Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment

In the present study, we assess reading comprehension abilities in different discourse types along with visual processing and executive functioning through innovative language tasks performed in a computerized environment. The current study assessed the role of reading comprehension ability in discriminating between healthy elderly subjects and subjects with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI). A total of 98 participants with MCI and 17 non-demented elderly as controls ranging from 55-85 years old (16 males, 99 females), native speakers of the local language (Greek) were included. Novel reading tests performance were based on reading abilities, context comprehension and cognitive flexibility based on main cognitive domains such as attention and working memory. Results suggested that the assessment of reading ability through different discourse texts in a computerized environment could provide useful information for cognitive decline risk.