Applying the CognICA in the Clinical Setting: Chris Kalafatis, MD, MRCPsych

“The test can be used as an excellent screening tool in primary care, and because of its interoperability, it can help primary care physicians talk to the specialists that they would normally refer [patients to], and the specialist can actually use the test in order to help with the diagnosis.”

The development of a new integrated cognitive assessment from Cognetivity Neurosciences has provided an opportunity for patients with dementia to be screened remotely, without the need for administration from a health care professional (HCP). Taking only 5 minutes to complete, the test is powered by artificial intelligence and completed on an iPad. Cognetivity recently announced that the device has met the requirements of regulations 21 CFR 882.1470; Class II Exempt Medical Device, following review by the FDA and can now be marketed as a medical device for commercial distribution in the US. 

To learn more about how the test is administered, we sat down with Chris Kalafatis, MD, MRCPsych, chief medical officer, Cognetivity; consultant in Old Age Psychiatry, South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust; and affiliate of King’s College London. In this conversation with NeurologyLive®, Kalafatis emphasized that while the test can be administered remotely, it can provide benefit in the clinical setting for primary care physicians, as well as specialists.

According to Kalafatis, cognitive screening should start in primary care, with HCPs identifying people who are at-risk early and in a standardized way. In addition, the CognICA provides the opportunity for patients to be monitored remotely and regularly, which is an area that several health systems lack, Kalafatis said.