Abstract
Cognitive processing of the external world involves complex neuronal activity across primary, secondary, and association cortices, along with subcortical pathways that integrate sensory information related to attention, language, visuospatial function, memory, executive function, emotional regulation, and social cognition. Neuropsychological testing is a key method for assessing brain function through domain-specific tests. The Vietnamese Cognitive Assessment (VnCA) battery includes: MMSE; Word List Recall (Immediate Recall, Delayed Recall, Delayed Recognition); Digit Span Forward and Backward; animal category fluency; and the Clock Drawing Test — indirectly assessing complex attention, executive function, learning and memory, language, sensorimotor function, and social cognition, which are the core cognitive domains used to evaluate mild and major neurocognitive disorders per DSM-5 criteria. Proper interpretation of these neuropsychological scales assists clinicians in diagnosis and differential diagnosis, identifying affected cognitive domains and severity, selecting appropriate non-pharmacological interventions (cognitive training, cognitive rehabilitation, cognitive stimulation), and monitoring progression—particularly in subjective cognitive impairment and mild cognitive impairment. This is an emerging field requiring examiners to have knowledge of neuropsychological test types, functional brain regions, and the pathology of conditions causing cognitive impairment, along with practical testing experience to apply the battery effectively in clinical practice.
