A-235 Construct validity of the National Institutes of Health Toolbox- Cognition Battery (NIHTB-CB) in children and adolescents with cerebral cavernous malformation, type 1 (CCM-1) and their non-affected relatives

Abstract

Abstract Objective This study assessed the convergent validity of the NIHTB-CB in a sample of children and adolescents with CCM-1 and non-affected relatives. Method Twenty-two participants with CCM-1 and 7 non-affected relatives completed the NIHTB-CB and traditional neuropsychological measures. The following domains were assessed: memory (NIHTB-CB Picture Sequencing Memory and Child and Adolescent Memory Profile- Screening Index), word reading (NIHTB-CB Oral Reading and Wide Range Achievement Test-4th Word Reading [WRAT-4 WR]),processing speed (NIHTB-CB Pattern Comparison and Symbol Digit Modalities Test), and attention/working memory (NIHTB-CB List Sorting and Digit Span). Results The non-affected group scored higher than the CCM-1 group on WRAT-4 WR (t = 2.68, p = .02) and NIHTB-CB Oral Reading (t = 2.18, p = .05). The groups did not differ on the other measures (p > .05). Pearson’s correlations ranged from .45 for memory to .81 for word reading, demonstrating adequate construct validity for memory, processing speed, and attention/working memory and good to very good for word reading. The NIHTB-CB was more likely to identify participants as impaired for memory (17.2% vs 6.9%) and processing speed (62.1% vs. 3.4%). The traditional attention/working memory measure was more likely to identify participants as impaired (27.6% vs 3.4%). Impairment rates were similar for the word reading measures. Conclusions Of the domains considered, convergent validity was best established for word reading. Although correlations were adequate, rates of impairment differed for memory, processing speed, and attention/working memory, suggesting that caution is warranted when comparing the NIHTB-CB to traditional measures in these areas.