Analysis of language tests for vascular cognitive impairment-no dementia

Background Language is a cardinal function that makes human unique. The impairment of language function affects the normal operation and recovery of other nerve functions. However, it is unclear what relationships between language function and other cognitive functions are. Methods We compared performance on the NINDS-CSN-VCIHS test battery between fifty-six people with VCI-ND and fifty control individuals. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to compare tests normally found in the NINDS-CSN-VCIHS with additional neuropsychological tests commonly used in China with respect to their ability to detect individuals with VCI-ND. The tests encompassed cognitive screening (MMSE), memory (AVLT), executive function/attention (STT, SCWT, RME, DOT-A, SDMT), language (ANT, BNT, FFT, ST, VFT) and visuospatial function (CFT). And then, we divided VCI-ND patients into two groups according to language impairment and observed their characteristics. Results Individuals with VCI-ND performed significantly worse than those in the control group in terms of language (P  Conclusion BNT test was suitable for language function detection in VCI-ND. VCI-ND patients with language dysfunction was worse than VCI-ND patients without language dysfunction in executive functions.