The MINT Sprint 2.0: a Picture Naming Test for Detection of Naming Impairments in ΜCI Due or Not to AD, Greek Version.

Abstract

Objective: Naming impairments are among the earliest cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease (ad), particularly affecting semantic memory and lexical retrieval. This study evaluated the diagnostic utility of the Greek adaptation of the MINT Sprint 2.0, a culturally tailored picture-naming test, in identifying naming deficits in preclinical and early ad.

Method: A total of 170 Greek-speaking participants were classified into three diagnostic groups: (1) MCI biomarker positive (preclinical ad), (2) MCI biomarker negative, and (3) cognitively intact (CI) (biomarker negative). Participants completed the MINT Sprint 2.0, comprising naming accuracy (MINTFIRSTPASS) and response latency (MINTFIRSTPASSTIME). Multivariate and univariate ANOVAs were used to assess group differences.

Results: Diagnosis significantly influenced performance across both measures, accounting for 26.5% of variance in accuracy and 52.7% in latency (p < .01). MANOVA revealed a large multivariate effect (Pillai's Trace V = 0.674, p < .01). Post hoc tests confirmed that all groups differed significantly on both variables, with biomarker-positive individuals performing worse and slower than other groups. MINT Sprint 2.0 elicited significantly different performance across diagnostic groups, supporting its potential utility in detecting early AD-related changes and offering enhanced sensitivity to early lexical retrieval deficits and response speed. Strong correlations between MINT Sprint and 15-BNT scores supported convergent validity.

Conclusion: The Greek MINT Sprint 2.0 is a valid and sensitive tool for detecting early ad-related naming impairments. Its cultural relevance and inclusion of response time make it superior to traditional naming tests, offering potential as a primary screening measure in Greek-speaking populations.