Association between cognitive quotient test score and hippocampal volume: a novel, rapid application-based screening tool

We aimed to develop a brief, preclinical test to screen the reduced hippocampal volume that is a marker of early dementia [Cognitive Quotient (CQ) test]. We performed an observational study of adult subjects who underwent brain MRI in seven institutions from February 2018 to May 2019. The CQ test consists of five components: (1) digits forward, (2) digits backward, (3) Stroop test, (4) simple calculation, and (5) mental rotation. The primary outcome measure was hippocampal volume. We separated the data into derivation (n = 322) and validation cohorts (n = 96). In the derivation cohort, we built two scoring systems using the results of CQ test (model 1 and 2). In the validation cohort, we validated the correlation of the scoring systems with hippocampal volume. In the derivation cohort, there was a moderate correlation between the scoring systems and hippocampal volume [e.g., correlation coefficient = 0.62 in model 1 (95% CI 0.44–0.75)]. Likewise, in the validation cohort, there was a moderate correlation between the scoring systems and hippocampal volume [e.g., correlation coefficient = 0.54 in model 2 (95% CI 0.38–0.67)]. In this analysis of 418 participants, the score of newly developed CQ test was correlated with hippocampal volume.