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Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly
1Saul R. Korey Department of Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461.
Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology
|November 1, 1991
Summary
This study developed a method to estimate premorbid intelligence using the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test (AMNART) for early dementia diagnosis. The findings suggest intellectual decline can be measured, potentially removing functional impairment as a barrier to early dementia detection.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Gerontology
Background:
- Early dementia diagnosis is crucial for timely intervention.
- Estimating premorbid intelligence is vital for detecting cognitive decline.
- Current diagnostic criteria may include unnecessary barriers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a regression-based method for estimating premorbid intelligence.
- To assess the accuracy and stability of the developed model.
- To evaluate the utility of estimated premorbid intelligence in early dementia diagnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized errors on the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test (AMNART) and years of education.
- Developed a predictive model for current verbal intelligence (VIQ) in nondemented elderly.
- Employed double cross-validation for model accuracy and stability assessment.
Main Results:
- The model accurately estimated current VIQ in nondemented subjects.
- Estimated premorbid VIQ in mildly demented subjects exceeded current VIQ by at least 10 points.
- The discrepancy between estimated premorbid and current VIQ in demented subjects was not observed in most nondemented individuals.
Conclusions:
- Intellectual decline, measurable via cross-sectional data, may predict future functional loss.
- The developed method reliably estimates premorbid intelligence.
- Relying solely on functional impairment for early dementia diagnosis may be an unnecessary barrier.