B - 89 The Association between Cognitive Ability and Performance Consistency on Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT).

Abstract

To evaluate the relation between cognitive abilities and intra-individual variability (IIV) on the PASAT. 205 participants (M = 19years old, SD = 1.5; 55.1% female, 60% White, 24.4% Black, 6% Asian) completed the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV (WAIS-IV), PASAT, Animal Naming, Trail-Making Test (TMT) Parts A and B, and CNS Vital Signs. Normed scores were used for analysis. IIV on PASAT was calculated as the standard deviation around their own mean across four rates of presentation (2.4, 2.0, 1.6, and 1.2seconds). Pearson r correlations revealed PASAT total score was correlated with FSIQ [r = 0.56; p < 0.001], Animal Naming [r = 0.27; p < 0.001], CNS psychomotor speed [r = 0.27; p < 0.001], CNS cognitive flexibility [r = 0.24; p < 0.001], Trails Part B [r = 0.28; p < 0.001] and CNS executive functioning [r = 0.22; p < 0.001]. PASAT IIV was negatively correlated with FSIQ [r = -0.46; p < 0.001] and Animal Naming [r = -0.15; p = 0.034]. There were no significant associations between PASAT IIV and CNS vital signs domains or TMT performance. PASAT total score and performance variability were related to general intellectual ability. Individuals with higher IQ levels were more consistent for PASAT performance and performed better on the task. This is at odds with previous IIV research in health samples where IIV increases with global cognitive ability. Additionally, PASAT IIV was negatively related to Animal Naming performance but not other aspects of executive functioning. This unexpected finding requires further research.