EXECUTIVE DEFICITS AND QUALITATIVE ERRORS ARE SENSITIVE TO PRODROMAL CHANGES IN INDIVIDUALS WITH SUBJECTIVE COGNITIVE DECLINE

Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) is a heterogeneous entity that frequently manifests in individuals who seek neuropsychological consultation. Recent research on the relationship between SCD and its possible conversion to Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia has prompted the study of cognitive changes present in preclinical stages, with the challenge of evaluating them more reliably. Executive alterations and qualitative errors seem to be key elements in this continuum; therefore, the present study aimed to analyze executive performance and qualitative errors in cognitive tests applied to a clinical group and their controls. The INECO Frontal Screening (IFS), the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FSCRT), and the Tower of London (ToL) were administered to 40 older adults: 20 clinical subjects (age: 71.8 + 5.0) and 20 controls (age: 66.8 years + 4.0). The results showed worse overall executive performance (IFS) in the clinical group (*** p < 0.001). The presence of qualitative errors in the FCSRT differed significantly between the groups, as they were observed in 50% of the clinical group but were absent in the control group (*** p < 0.001). Similarly, in the ToL, the clinical group made more qualitative errors than controls (** p <0.01). In conclusion, the findings indicate that executive performance deficits and the presence of qualitative errors in cognitive testing are sensitive to prodromal changes in individuals with SCD. Therefore, their early detection may enhance diagnosis accuracy and reliability in preclinical stages and support more timely and targeted clinical interventions.