Citation

Barrash J, Stillman A, Anderson SW, Uc EY, Dawson JD, Rizzo M. J. Int. Neuropsychol. Soc. 2010; 16(4): 679-686.

Affiliation

Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2010, Cambridge University Press)

DOI

10.1017/S1355617710000470

PMID

20441682

PMCID

PMC3152745

Abstract

Demographically adjusted norms generally enhance accuracy of inferences based on neuropsychological assessment. However, we hypothesized that demographic corrections diminish predictive accuracy for real-world activities with absolute cognitive demands. Driving ability was assessed with a 45-minute drive along a standardized on-road route in participants aged 65+ (24 healthy elderly, 26 probable Alzheimer's disease, 33 Parkinson's disease). Neuropsychological measures included: Trail-Making A and B, Complex Figure, Benton Visual Retention, and Block Design tests. A multiple regression model with raw neuropsychological scores was significantly predictive of driving errors (R2 = .199, p = .005); a model with demographically adjusted scores was not (R2 = .113, p = .107). Raw scores were more highly correlated with driving errors than were adjusted scores for each neuropsychological measure, and among healthy elderly and Parkinson's patients. When predicting real-world activities that depend on absolute levels of cognitive abilities regardless of demographic considerations, predictive accuracy is diminished by demographic corrections.

Language: en