Clinical correlation of visuospatial evaluation with dementia diagnosis in memory clinic

TL;DR

This study explores whether a cube-copying test can help detect early signs of dementia, but finds it is not a reliable standalone diagnostic tool.

Contribution

The study evaluates the cube-copying test as a potential early screening tool for dementia in a memory clinic setting.

Findings

Stereopsis scores were significantly associated with sex and education, but not with dementia diagnosis.

The cube-copying test showed no significant correlation with initial dementia diagnosis codes.

The test may still have potential as a screening tool when used alongside other cognitive assessments.

Abstract

We attempted to find if different level of abilities to draw three-dimensional cube (stereopsis) as measured by cube-copying test can be used as an early quick screening tool for preclinical dementia diagnosis.

The study was conducted at the Alzheimer Disease Center, a suburban memory clinic serving the south shore of Boston MA. We collected retrospective data by chart review on patients during the period July 2024 to March2025. A retrospective database search included subjects with memory impairment with a diagnosis code and stereopsis score. All data analyses were performed using SPSS. Pearson Correlation was performed for correlations of age and education.

We identified 42 subjects with stereopsis and diagnosis code. Mean Stereopsis score was 8.08 (SD 3,80) for blood Tau negative patients, 8.19 (SD 3.58) for blood Tau positive patients. Stereopsis score was statistically positively significantly related to sex (t = 2.34, p = 0.025) and education (t = 2.66, P = 0.029). Mean age was 67.5 (SD 7.32), mean education 13,64 years (SD 1.92), 45.2% Caucasians and 64.30% females. We found a insignificant association of stereopsis to the initial diagnosis code in the clinic (p = 0.896).

Performance on the cube-copying test can be influenced by factors such as sex, education, The cube-copying test remains to potential screening tool and is not a definitive diagnostic tool for AD or other dementias and should be used in conjunction with other cognitive assessments.