Regression-based pediatric norms for the brief visuospatial memory test: revised and the symbol digit modalities test

Area of Science:

• Neuropsychology
• Pediatric Neurology
• Clinical Neuroscience

Background:

• The Brief Visuospatial Memory Test - Revised (BVMTR) and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) are sensitive to cerebral disease in adults.
• Existing norms for BVMTR and SDMT are not available for pediatric populations.
• Lack of pediatric norms limits the use of these sensitive cognitive measures in children.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop demographically controlled normative equations for the BVMTR and SDMT in healthy children aged 6-17.
• To establish demographically adjusted z-scores for key BVMTR and SDMT performance indices.
• To assess the utility of these normative data in differentiating pediatric neurological conditions.

Main Methods:

• A demographically balanced sample of 92 healthy children (ages 6-17) was recruited.
• Participants were administered the BVMTR and the oral-only SDMT.
• Multiple regression analysis (MRA) was employed to create normative equations and z-scores.

Main Results:

• Demographically controlled normative equations were successfully developed for BVMTR (Trials 1, 2, 3, Total Learning, Delayed Recall) and SDMT (total correct score).
• A comparison group of children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM) or multiple sclerosis (MS) demonstrated that these tests discriminate neurological patients from controls.
• The developed norms allow for the calculation of demographically adjusted z-scores, enhancing clinical interpretation.

Conclusions:

• The study provides the first pediatric norms for the BVMTR and SDMT, crucial for accurate cognitive assessment in children.
• These visual processing tests are effective in identifying neurological impairment in pediatric populations.
• Given their validation in adult MS, these measures are valuable for monitoring pediatric-onset MS patients through adulthood.