10 - Other cognitive instruments

Other cognitive instruments

© SPMM Course Other cognitive instruments Raven’s progressive matrix is a test for IQ that is independent of education and cultural influences. It taps on general intelligence with visuospatial problem-solving tasks (performance IQ). Reading is an ability that is seemingly resistant to organic brain damage. NART – National adult reading test taps on previous word knowledge before becoming ill. Hence, it is used to estimate premorbid IQ. Stroop test measures set shifting abilities and response inhibition. It is a test of frontal function and the ability to pay selective attention. The Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) contains stimulus cards of different colour, form, and number. These are presented to patients to sort into groups according to a single principle (e.g., to sort by colour, ignoring form and number). Persons with damage to the frontal lobes or to the caudate and some persons with schizophrenia give abnormal responses. Trail Making Test (TMT - B), Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST), Hayling test (Sentence completion), Brixton task, all test set-shifting ability, which is a part of executive functioning. The Wechsler Memory Scale-Revised (WMS-R) is the most widely used memory test battery for adults. The scale yields a memory quotient (MQ), which is corrected for age and generally approximates the WAIS IQ. In amnesic conditions, a disproportionately low MQ but a relatively preserved IQ is seen. WMS consists of the following tests:  verbal paired associate  paragraph retention,  visual memory for designs,  orientation,  digit span,  rote recall of the alphabet, and  counting backward. Benton Visual Retention Test involves the presentation of a geometric figure for 10 seconds, after which the patient attempts to draw the figure from memory. (Short-term visual memory test) The Bender Visual Motor Gestalt Test is a test of visuomotor coordination that is useful for both children and adults. Halstead & Reitan developed a battery of tests that helps to determine the location of specific brain lesions. It consists of Category test, Tactual performance test, Rhythm test, Finger-oscillation test, Speechsounds perception test, Trail making test A and B, Critical flicker frequency, Time sense test, Aphasia screening test, Sensory-perceptual tests. NEUROCOGNITIVE DEFICITS IN SCHIZOPHRENIA Overall deterioration in IQ. Short-term memory disturbances. Deficits in higher order reasoning and perceptual difficulties. Frontal test deficits: Patients perform far more poorly than controls on category test, Wisconsin card sort test, paired associates verbal learning test, Trail B of the Halstead-Reitan battery.