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Prediction of driving ability with neuropsychological tests: Demographic adjustments diminish accuracy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 May 2010

JOSEPH BARRASH*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
ASHLEY STILLMAN
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
STEVEN W. ANDERSON
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
ERGUN Y. UC
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa Neurology Service, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Iowa City, Iowa
JEFFREY D. DAWSON
Affiliation:
Department of Biostatistics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa
MATTHEW RIZZO
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa
*
*Correspondence and reprint requests to: Joe Barrash, Ph.D., Department of Neurology, 2155 RCP, University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, 200 Hawkins Drive, Iowa City, IA 52242. E-mail: joseph-barrash@uiowa.edu

Abstract

Demographically adjusted norms generally enhance accuracy of inferences based on neuropsychological assessment. However, we hypothesized that demographic corrections diminish predictive accuracy for real-world activities with absolute cognitive demands. Driving ability was assessed with a 45-minute drive along a standardized on-road route in participants aged 65+ (24 healthy elderly, 26 probable Alzheimer’s disease, 33 Parkinson’s disease). Neuropsychological measures included: Trail-Making A and B, Complex Figure, Benton Visual Retention, and Block Design tests. A multiple regression model with raw neuropsychological scores was significantly predictive of driving errors (R2 = .199, p = .005); a model with demographically adjusted scores was not (R2 = .113, p = .107). Raw scores were more highly correlated with driving errors than were adjusted scores for each neuropsychological measure, and among healthy elderly and Parkinson’s patients. When predicting real-world activities that depend on absolute levels of cognitive abilities regardless of demographic considerations, predictive accuracy is diminished by demographic corrections. (JINS, 2010, 16, 679–686.)

Type
Research Articles
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2010

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