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Construct validity of the Trail Making Test: Role of task-switching, working memory, inhibition/interference control, and visuomotor abilities

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 May 2009

I. SÁNCHEZ-CUBILLO ,
J.A. PERIÁÑEZ ,
D. ADROVER-ROIG ,
J.M. RODRÍGUEZ-SÁNCHEZ ,
M. RÍOS-LAGO ,
J. TIRAPU  and
F. BARCELÓ
I. SÁNCHEZ-CUBILLO
Affiliation:
Brain Damage Service Network, Hospital Aita Menni, Bilbao, Spain
J.A. PERIÁÑEZ*
Affiliation:
Department of Basic Psychology II, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, Spain Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, CIEN Foundation-Reina Sofia Foundation, Madrid, Spain
D. ADROVER-ROIG
Affiliation:
Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Spain
J.M. RODRÍGUEZ-SÁNCHEZ
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Hospital Universitario Marques de Valdecilla, Santander, Spain
M. RÍOS-LAGO
Affiliation:
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Unit, CIEN Foundation-Reina Sofia Foundation, Madrid, Spain Department of Basic Psychology II, UNED, Madrid, Spain Brain Damage Service Network, Hosp. Beata Maria Ana, Madrid, Spain
J. TIRAPU
Affiliation:
Psychology Service, Clinica Ubarmin, Pamplona, Spain
F. BARCELÓ
Affiliation:
Clinical Neuropsychology Research Group, Institut Universitari d’Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Department of Psychology, University of the Balearic Islands, Spain
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: José A. Periáñez, Department of Basic Psychology II, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Campus de Somosaguas, 28223 Madrid, Spain. E-mail: japerianez@psi.ucm.es
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to clarify which cognitive mechanisms underlie Trail Making Test (TMT) direct and derived scores. A comprehensive review of the literature on the topic was carried out to clarify which cognitive factors had been related to TMT performance. Following the review, we explored the relative contribution from working memory, inhibition/interference control, task-switching ability, and visuomotor speed to TMT performance. Forty-one healthy old subjects participated in the study and performed a battery of neuropsychological tests including the TMT, the Digit Symbol subtest [Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (Third Version) (WAIS-III)], a Finger Tapping Test, the Digits Forward and Backward subtests (WAIS-III), Stroop Test, and a task-switching paradigm inspired in the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Correlation and regression analyses were used in order to clarify the joint and unique contributions from different cognitive factors to the prediction of TMT scores. The results suggest that TMT-A requires mainly visuoperceptual abilities, TMT-B reflects primarily working memory and secondarily task-switching ability, while B-A minimizes visuoperceptual and working memory demands, providing a relatively pure indicator of executive control abilities. (JINS, 2009, 15, 438–450.)

Keywords

AgeingAttentional controlExecutive functionsNeuropsychological assessmentSpeed of processingSwitch-cost
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , May 2009 , pp. 438 - 450
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2009

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