Demographically-corrected normative data for the RBANS learning ratio in a sample of older adults

Abstract

Background A novel learning slope score – the Learning Ratio (LR) – has recently been developed that appears to be sensitive to memory performance and AD pathology more optimally than traditional learning slope calculations. While promising, this research to date has been both experimental and based on group differences, and therefore does not aid in the interpretation of individual LR performance for either clinical or research settings. The objective of the current study was to develop demographically-corrected normative data on these LR learning slopes on verbal learning measures from the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Method The current study examined the influence of age and education on LR metrics for the List Learning, Story Memory, and an Aggregated RBANS score in 200 cognitively intact adults aged 65 or older using linear regression. Results Age and education correlated with most LR metrics, but no sex differences were observed. Linear regression permitted the prediction of LR values from age and education, which are then compared to observed LR values. The result is demographically-corrected T scores for these LR metrics. Conclusions By comparing observed and predicted LR scores calculated from regression-based prediction equations, this represents the first step towards interpretation of individual performances on this metric for clinical decision making and treatment planning purposes. With future replication in diverse and heterogenous samples, we hope to offer a new clinical tool for the examination of learning slopes in older adults.