Large-scale application of a telephone-based test of cognitive functioning in older adults

Background: The study of cognitive functioning in large epidemiological settings is hampered by a lack of instruments for the remote assessment of cognitive performance, especially when targeting variability across the full range of adult functioning. The present study examined the practicability of such investigations using a recently developed telephone interview (COGTEL). Methods: A subcohort of an on-going epidemiological study in the elderly German population (ESTHER) was interviewed via telephone by trained personell. These data were combined with socio-demographic information obtained by standardized self…