Neuropsychological performance of Hispanic and non-Hispanic older adults: an epidemiologic survey

Performance on a brief battery of neuropsychological tests was compared for 797 Hispanic and non-Hispanic white older adults (65-97 years) participating in a community-based epidemiological survey of Bernalillo County, New Mexico. Tests included measures of memory (Fuld Object Memory Evaluation), attention (Digit Span), verbal fluency (category naming), visuoconstruction (clock drawing), and psychomotor speed and cognitive flexibility (Color Trails). Statistically significant ethnic group differences were observed on all tests in analyses that also considered effects of age, education, gender, depressive symptoms, and a global measure of medical illness. Effect sizes were small for all measures except Digit Span and Color Trails. In dementia screening or other clinical cognitive assessment, separate ethnic group norms may be useful in interpreting results for these measures. Preliminary normative tables are provided for Hispanic older adults at two levels of age (65-74 years and 75-97 years) and four levels of education (0-6 years, 7-9 years, 10-12 years, and > 12 years).