Cognition, dementia and delirium
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI)
Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) — administration and scoring reference.
Reference information · Official-form reference
- Last content update
- 2026-10-26
- Clinical review
- Not independently reviewed
- Source jurisdiction
- See individual sources
- Coverage
- Official-form reference
| Field | Instrument context |
|---|---|
| Version | NPI; original caregiver interview; specify 10/12 domains |
| Population | Older adults or relevant cognitive-disorder population; verify validation |
| Respondent | Clinician interviewing caregiver |
| Purpose | Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) — administration and scoring reference. |
Administration
Interview a knowledgeable caregiver using the selected form’s domain screens and continuation rules.
Scoring method
Domain frequency × severity ratings; caregiver distress recorded separately.
Interpretation & limitations
- Report symptom frequency/severity findings and caregiver distress separately.
- Interpret the findings alongside the clinical interview, functioning, history and relevant physical assessment.
- NPI and NPI-Q have different scoring. Do not add distress to symptom burden or treat an unanswered positive-domain follow-up as absent symptoms.
- Use the original instrument and manual for item wording, rating anchors, missing-data rules and any normative conversions. This reference does not establish a diagnosis or select treatment.