Neuropsychological Tests

Neuropsychological Tests

Immediate memory or recall was measured by verbal and visual recall and digits forward and backward from Wechsler's Memory Scale (1). Culture Fair (battery 2A) and vocabulary are done in groups. Culture Fair test non-verbal non-arithmetical intelligence based on the selection of designs for similarity, difference, completion and pattern recognition and transfer (2,3) Culture Fair resembles Raven's progressive matrices (4). The vocabulary test is from the multidimensional aptitude battery (5). Block designs from the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS-R)(6), the Knox blocks, are used to test constructional, interpretative and integrative capacity. Digit symbol, also from the WAIS, test attention and integrative capacity. The grooved pegboard (7) from the Lafayette battery is used. Three tests, trail making A and B and fingertip number writing which measure dexterity, coordination, decision making and peripheral sensation and discrimination are from the Halstead-Reitan battery (8,9). Long-term memory is assessed using information, picture completion and similarities from the WAIS-R. Subjects self-appraise their emotional status during the preceding week using the profile of mood states (POMS)(10,11) which consists of 65 words describing tension, anxiety, depression, anger, vigor, fatigue and confusion. The choice of tests and their conceptual domains are described in the methods manual and disk.

Reference Notes:

1. Wechsler D: A standardized memory scale for clinical use. J Psychol 1945;19:87-95.
2. Cattell RB, Feingold SN,Sarason SB: A culture free intelligence test II evaluation of cultural influences on performance. J Educ Psych 1941;32:81-100.
3. Cattell RB: Classical and standard score IQ standardization of the IPAT: Culture free intelligence scale 2. J Consulting Psych 1951;15:154-159.
4. Raven JC, Court JH, Raven J: Standard progressive matrices. London; HK Lewis & Co. 1988.
5. Jackson DN. Vocabulary: multidimensional aptitute battery. Port Huron, MI: Sigma Assessment Systems, Inc. 1985.
6. Wechsler D: Adult intelligence scale manual (revised). New York: The Psychological Corporation 1971/1981.
7. Matthews C, Cleeland CS, Hopper CL: Neurological patterns in multiple sclerosis. Dis of Nervous Syst 1970;31:161-170.
8. Reitan RM: A research program on the psychological effects of brain lesions in human beings. In NR Ellis (ed), "International Review of Research in Mental Retardation." New York: Academic Press, 1966.
9. Reitan RM: Validity of the trail-making test as an indicator or organic brain damage. Percept Motor Skills 1958;8:271-276.
10. McNair DM, Lorr M. An analysis of mood in neurotics. J Abnorm Soc Psychol 1967;69:620-624.
11. McNair DM, Lorr M, Droppleman LF. Profile of Mood States. San Diego, CA: Educational and Industrial Testing Service, 1971/1981.