Measuring The Speed and Accuracy of Semantic Retrieval with the Semantic Stroop Task

Background Semantic memory assessments are sensitive indicators of cognitive decline in pre‐clinical Alzheimer’s Disease (AD), with slowed reaction time and diminished accuracy serving as markers for amyloid accumulation. We introduce the Semantic Stroop Test—a brief (4.3 minute), automated semantic retrieval and executive function task included in the California Cognitive Assessment Battery (CCAB). Method The Semantic Stroop Test was administered to 572 healthy adults (50% female, Age = 65.6 years, ±10.6). Participants were tested in their homes using tablet computers. Two sessions were administered on consecutive days, with tests remotely monitored (Figure 1). Participants were instructed to produce an antonym in response to words in red font and a synonym in response to words in blue font. Sixteen words were presented in random order (Figure 1). Then the same 16 words were presented again in opposite colors. Verbal reaction time (RT) and response accuracy were quantified for each word. Result The Semantic Stroop Test showed excellent test‐retest reliability (r = 0.71 accuracy, r = 0.82 RT) and switch failure detection (r = 0.47) in tracking errors. A multiple regression model revealed significant effects of Age and Vocabulary (p