Computer based system designed to use as little subjects as possible and an increased sensitivity to cognitive enhancements in drug testing. Test trials normally occur in 4 phases (Phases I- IV) (g).
Medical use/Method
Normally used to test the cognitive function of people during the development of a new drug. New drugs in the market will be administered to people with a cognitive impairment,such as dementia, as well as to healthy individuals (d). Their cognitive responses are tested and compared using the CDR system.
What differentiates the CDR system is that it primarily focuses on the effects of drugs and cognitive function. Function may be inhibited or enhanced depending on the drug, or mixture of drugs (and sometimes alcohol).
Variations of Cognitive tests/trials
Various companies use cognitive test batteries that are similar to the CDR system, but are not exactly the same. Examples of other companies include CANTAB by Cambridge Cognition, Brain Resource (IntegNeuro & WebNeuro), CNS Vital Signs, CogState, Cognitive Drug Research, and HeadMinder (e). Although all of these companies do computer-based cognitive test batteries for clinical drug trials, they differ in their testing method.
Validity of testing (Couldn’t find secondary sources to prove this)
Economics
The company was originally known as R. G. Reis Investment Services Limited, but changed it’s name in October of 1987 to Cognitive Drug Research, Ltd. On September 10th, 2009 began operating as a subsidiary of United BioSource Corporation (h).
Wesnes, Keith A. “The Value of Assessing Cognitive Function in Drug Development.” Dialogues in Clinical Neuroscience 2.3 (2000): 183–202. Print.
Simpson P, Surmon D, Wesnes K, Wilcock G. THE COGNITIVE DRUG RESEARCH COMPUTERIZED ASSESSMENT SYSTEM FOR DEMENTED PATIENTS: A VALIDATION STUDY. International Journal Of Geriatric Psychiatry [serial online]. February 1991;6(2):95-102. Available from: Academic Search Premier, Ipswich, MA. Accessed February 20, 2017.
