The Italian Face-Name Association Test (ItFNAT): A preliminary validation of three parallel versions

Background and Objectives: Associating names with faces is crucial for social interactions and reflects cognitive health. To address the need for reliable tools to assess associative memory, we developed and validated the Italian Face-Name Associative Test (ItFNAT), a tool allows clinicians to monitor cognitive functioning and detect early signs of decline related to aging and neurodegenerative conditions. Materials and Methods: 101 Italian participants (51 females) aged 18-80 years completed the three parallel versions of the ItFNAT, which assessed immediate recall (IR), delayed free recall (DFR), and delayed recall with cues (TDR). ItFNAT was administered alongside other neuropsychological tests to explore its relationship with memory and attention. Results: Cronbach’s alpha revealed high reliability across all three versions of the ItFNAT. MANOVA showed no significant differences between the subscores of the three versions. ANCOVA indicated that schooling significantly influenced DFR scores and had a marginal effect on IR scores, while age and sex did not significantly impact scores. Accordingly, specific cut-offs based on schooling were established. The 3 x 12 correlation matrix demonstrated significant correlations between ItFNAT scores and memory and attention test scores. Discussions: This study introduces the ItFNAT, a test designed to assess cross-modal associative memory. It includes three parallel versions with good internal consistency, and minimal score differences. The subscores—IR, DFR, and TDR—capture various aspects of cognitive functioning, with educational attainment influencing DFR scores. Preliminary cut-offs were established based on schooling, enhancing the test's clinical applicability. Future research should refine its utility for monitoring cognitive changes and neurodegenerative conditions.