About the Test
Global Neuropsychological Assessment (GNA)
The GNA consists of a brief social and health history, sensory-perceptual screening, six core subtests, and one optional subtest. The core GNA requires less than 20 minutes to administer and score.
The GNA has five alternate forms, making it ideal for repeated assessments and clinical trials. Its subtests assess cognitive functions that are well-grounded in neuroscience and sensitive to the effects of many diseases, other health conditions, and treatments. The complete GNA yields 14 individual measures, two domain scores (episodic memory and working memory), and one global composite score. Each GNA component is described below.
| GNA Component | Construct | Task Description | Time (minutes) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cover Sheet | Background | Background information; near vision and hearing acuity; literacy screening; health history, and list of current medications. | 4 |
| Story Memory | Verbal episodic memory | The examiner reads a short story aloud twice. The test taker tries to recall as many details as possible after each reading and again five minutes later. Scores include the numbers of details recalled after each reading and again after the delay. | 2 |
| Perceptual Comparison | Simple psychomotor speed | The examiner presents pairs of symbols in columns on a page. The test taker must say whether the symbols in each pair are the same or different. The score consists of the total number of correct comparisons made in 45 seconds. | 2 |
| Digit Span | Verbal working memory | The examiner reads strings of 1 to 9 digits. The test taker must repeat each string in forward or reverse order. This test yields several scores. | 4 |
| Verbal Fluency | Word list generation | The test taker names as many animals as possible in one minute. The total number is scored. | 1.5 |
| Category Switching | Executive functioning | The test taker must alternate between naming as many body parts and foods as possible in one minute. The total numbers of correct words and category switches are scored. | 1.5 |
| Spatial Span (optional) | Visual working memory | The test taker must draw lines connecting numbered squares in a 4 x 4 array. Each trial consists of 1 to 9 squares that must be connected in forward or reverse order. This test yields several scores | 5 |
| PHQ-4 | Depression and anxiety symptoms | Four questions that assess depression and anxiety make up this brief screening test. | 1 |
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