Normative and retest data on the RBANS cortical/subcortical index in older adults

Several neuropsychological disorders have been classified as having either "cortical" or "subcortical" profiles; however, little information is available about the frequency of these profiles in the normal population or their stability on retesting. Therefore, the current study calculated the cortical/subcortical profile index from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status in a large cohort (n = 793) of older adult primary care patients. The frequency of these profiles was examined, as was their stability across 1- and 2-year periods. Cortical profiles were quite common in this sample, with 37% having 10 or more points on this index. Stability of these index scores across 1 and 2 years was moderate (r = .58-.61). Although the utility of this index needs to be investigated in clinical samples, practitioners should use caution when interpreting these types of indicator as pathognomonic for the presence of disease.