A systematic review of the accuracy and clinical utility of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination and the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised in the diagnosis of dementia

Abstract

Objectives: To review the evidence relating to the diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (ACE) and its updated version, the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R) in relation to the diagnosis of dementia.

Design: A systematic search of relevant databases was conducted, covering the period 2000 to April 2010. Specific journals and reference lists were hand searched. Identified studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were reviewed using a tailored, methodological quality rating checklist.

Results: The systematic search process identified nine studies for review (seven relating to the ACE, two on the ACE-R). Strengths and weaknesses across studies are considered, and diagnostic accuracy measures are presented for six out of the nine studies.

Conclusion: The evidence suggests that the ACE/ACE-R is capable of providing information on a range of cognitive domains and of differentiating well between those with and those without cognitive impairment. Further research examining how the tools distinguish between dementia subtypes and mild cognitive impairment will further benefit the evidence base.