The Milan Automated Neurobehavioral System. Age, sex, and education differences

The Milan Automated Neurobehavioral System (MANS) has been used in field studies to measure effects of toxicants on the central nervous system. The battery has not been deemed appropriate in clinical settings because of the paucity of available norms. In this study, 236 (151 men, 85 women) healthy 39- to 94-year-olds were given the MANS as part of a comprehensive neurobehavioral evaluation. The subtests were simple visual reaction time, digit symbol substitution, serial digit learning, and Benton visual retention. Age and years of education accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in all four subtests. In two of the subtests (simple visual reaction time and Benton visual retention) sex also accounted for a significant proportion of the variance. Age-, sex-, and years of education-specific normative values are presented for healthy persons aged 50 to 79 years.