The Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) is a semiautomated computer interface for assessing cognitive function. We examined whether CANTAB tests measured specific cognitive functions, using established neuropsychological tests as a reference point. A sample of 500 healthy older (M = 60.28 years, SD = 6.75) participants in the Tasmanian Healthy Brain Project completed battery of CANTAB subtests and standard paper-based neuropsychological tests. Confirmatory factor analysis identified four factors: processing speed, verbal ability, episodic memory, and working memory. However, CANTAB tests did not consistently load onto the cognitive domain factors derived from traditional measures of the same function. These results indicate that five of the six CANTAB subtests examined did not load onto single cognitive functions. These CANTAB tests may lack the sensitivity to measure discrete cognitive functions in healthy populations or may measure other cognitive domains not included in the traditional neuropsychological battery.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Cognitive Function, CANTAB, Older Adults
Research Division:	Psychology and Cognitive Sciences
Research Group:	Psychology
Research Field:	Biological Psychology (Neuropsychology, Psychopharmacology, Physiological Psychology)
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Other Health
Objective Field:	Health not elsewhere classified
Author:	Lenehan, ME (Dr Megan Thow)
Author:	Summers, MJ (Dr Mathew Summers)
Author:	Saunders, NL (Dr Nichole Saunders)
Author:	Summers, JJ (Professor Jeffery Summers)
Author:	Vickers, JC (Professor James Vickers)
ID Code:	104785
Year Published:	2016 (online first 2015)
Web of Science® Times Cited:	6
Deposited By:	Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre
Deposited On:	2015-11-19
Last Modified:	2017-11-06
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