A-198 Major Errors on BVRT Determine Specific Cognitive Deficit in a Veteran Sample

Abstract

Abstract Objective The goal of the study is to examine the underlying conceptual factors that account for major performance errors of the Benton Visual Retention Test (BVRT) using indices of the Weschler Adult Intelligence Scale, 3rd Edition (WAIS-III) as gold-standard comparison variables. Method One hundred thirty participants with mixed cognitive and psychiatric diagnoses who were referred to the neuropsychological assessment clinic at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System and completed the BVRT and WAIS-III measures were included in the analysis of the data. Factor Analysis of BVRT major memory and copy errors (rotations, distortions, and perseverations) and WAIS-III indices were conducted using SPSS 25. Results BVRT major memory and copy errors factored onto WAIS-III index variables using Principal Components Analysis with Equamax rotation yielded a four-factor model explaining 79% of total variance. Major errors on the immediate recall trial of the BVRT were found to be specifically and inversely related to performance on the WAIS-III Perceptual Organization and Processing Speed Indices. Major errors on the copy trial of the BVRT showed an inverse relationship with performance on the WAIS-III Verbal Comprehension and Working Memory Indices. Conclusions BVRT recall errors are related to failures in visual perceptual processing. Conversely, copy errors on the BVRT are potentially attributable to deficits in auditory-verbal-attentional information processing. The results of the study provide evidence for the BVRT as a viable measurement tool to determine domain-specific cognitive impairment when considering error types on recall and copy trials.