Streamlining eligibility assessment for Alzheimer's disease-modifying therapies: Prediction of MMSE scores using the digital clock and recall - Report - MDSpire

Streamlining eligibility assessment for Alzheimer's disease-modifying therapies: Prediction of MMSE scores using the digital clock and recall

  • By

  • Ali Jannati

  • Claudio Toro-Serey

  • Marissa Ciesla

  • Emma Chen

  • John Showalter

  • David Bates

  • Alvaro Pascual-Leone

  • Sean Tobyne

  • July 9, 2026

  • 0 min

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Clinical Report: Optimizing Eligibility Evaluation for Alzheimer's Disease Treatment

Overview

This study evaluates the Digital Clock and Recall (DCR™) method as a rapid digital cognitive assessment to predict Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores. The machine learning model demonstrated comparable precision to traditional MMSE administration.

Background

The recent approval of anti-amyloid disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for Alzheimer's disease (AD) necessitates effective screening methods for treatment eligibility. Traditional cognitive assessments like the MMSE are time-consuming and may perpetuate health disparities due to educational and cultural biases. This study explores a digital alternative.

Data Highlights

Study CohortRMSE
Bio-Hermes-001 Test Set2.43
Apheleia Cohort2.62
White Participants2.46
Non-White Participants2.25
Hispanic Participants2.19
Non-Hispanic Participants2.45

Key Findings

  • The DCR™ method predicted MMSE scores with an RMSE of 2.43 in the Bio-Hermes-001 test set.
  • External validation in the Apheleia cohort showed an RMSE of 2.62, indicating robust generalizability.
  • Prediction errors were comparable across racial and ethnic groups, suggesting fairness in the model's predictions.
  • Significant differences in prediction errors were observed only for sex and age in the Apheleia cohort.
  • The DCR™ method offers a rapid and equitable alternative to traditional MMSE administration.

Clinical Implications

The DCR™ method could assist in identifying patients eligible for DMTs.

Conclusion

The DCR™ method represents an advancement in cognitive assessment for Alzheimer's disease.

Related Resources & Content

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  2. Trial of Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease | JAMA, 2023 -- Title
  3. Donanemab: Appropriate use recommendations - PMC, 2023 -- Title
  4. Systematic Review of Brief Cognitive Screening Tools for Identifying Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Illiterate and Low‐Educated Populations, 2024 -- Title
  5. npj Digital Medicine — Smartphone-based detection of subtle memory decline in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease
  6. Frontiers in Neurology — From cognitive screening to digital phenotyping: rethinking early detection of cognitive impairment in primary care
  7. npj Digital Medicine — Systematic Evaluation of Wearable EEG Technology for Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment
  8. npj Digital Medicine — Digital Cognitive Evaluation for Aging and Dementia via the Oxford Cognitive Testing Portal (OCTAL)
  9. Smartphone-based detection of subtle memory decline in prodromal Alzheimer’s disease
  10. From cognitive screening to digital phenotyping: rethinking early detection of cognitive impairment in primary care
  11. Systematic Evaluation of Wearable EEG Technology for Identifying Mild Cognitive Impairment
  12. Lecanemab in Early Alzheimer’s Disease | New England Journal of Medicine
  13. Trial of Donanemab in Early Symptomatic Alzheimer Disease
  14. Donanemab: Appropriate use recommendations - PMC
  15. “Systematic Review of Brief Cognitive Screening Tools for Identifying Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment in Illiterate and Low‐Educated Populations” - Zegarra‐Valdivia - 2024 - Alzheimer's & Dementia - Wiley Online Library
  16. Cognitive and Functional Assessment for MCI or Memory Loss | AAN
  17. Diagnostic accuracy of digital clock drawing test for Alzheimer disease and mild cognitive impairment | npj Digital Medicine

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