Publication Date

Fall 2025

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Psychology

Advisor

Erin Woodhead; Christina Tzeng; Valeie Carr

Abstract

We examined whether specific visual cognitive skills predict progression from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) to Alzheimer’s disease (AD), or dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB). The Benson Complex Figure Task (BCFT) was used to measure visual perception and construction (copy), and visual memory (recall). National Alzheimer Coordination Center longitudinal dataset included participants who remained stable (MCI-stable; n =2630), progressed to AD (MCI-AD; n =798), or progressed to DLB (MCI-DLB; n =59). Baseline BCFT scores were entered into logistic regression models predicting diagnostic outcome. Impaired copy performance was significantly associated with MCI-DLB (B = 0.79, OR = 2.21, BCa CI [0.26, 1.36], p = .005), while impaired recall performance was significantly associated with MCI-AD (B = -0.64, OR = 0.53, BCa CI [-1.17, -0.10], p < .05). copy impairment differentiated MCI-DLB vs MCI-stable (B = 1.59, OR = 1.80, BCa CI [1.06, 3.06], p < .05). No significant group differences were found in recall (B = 1.30, OR = 0.94, BCa CI [1.87, 2.65], p = .33). Meanwhile, MCI-stable showed impaired copy than MCI-AD (B = -0.24, OR = 0.79, BCa CI [0.66, 0.94], p < .05), while impaired recall was associated MCI-AD (B = 0.80, OR = 2.22, BCa CI [1.37, 2.84], p < .001). BCFT conditions may tap into distinct cognitive process that map onto early profiles of DLB and AD. These findings suggest the BCFT may aid in differentiating between progressive AD and DLB, though may be less sensitive for distinguishing stable from progressive disease.

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