Coloured Progressive Matrices Scores Research Articles

Linguistic profiles of variants of primary progressive aphasia

BackgroundSeveral subtypes of primary progressive aphasia (PPA) have been proposed. Most reports use small samples, and few have included Spanish-speaking participants. AimTo analyze the language profile and nonlinguistic deficits in a large sample of PPA Spanish monolingual participants. Method177 individuals were diagnosed with PPA in a sample consisting of 69 men and 108 women (Mage = 66.40 years, SD = 9.30). The participants were assessed using the Spanish versions of the Western Aphasia Battery Revised (SWAB-R) and the Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination (SBDAE). Non-verbal reasoning was evaluated with the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices. Results41.8% of the sample met the criteria for the logopenic variant (lvPPA), while 28.2% met the criteria for semantic (svPPA), 15.3% for lexical (lxvPPA), and 14.7% for nonfluent/agrammatic (nfvPPA) variants. Language difficulties were similar in all variants except for lxvPPA. Scores on Spontaneous Language, Auditory Comprehension, Repetition, and Naming were significantly higher for the lxvPPA group. Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices scores were significantly lower in lvPPA. Years of education correlated with all test scores, while age was negatively associated with naming. When the PPA variants were classified according to the traditional aphasia classification, discrepancies were evident. Furthermore, the most frequent type of aphasia was Amnesic, while the least frequent was Wernicke's aphasia. ConclusionThe SWAB-R is useful in describing the clinical characteristics of aphasia for each variant of PPA, but quantitative scores from this battery are not capable of distinguishing between variants of PPA, with the exception of lxvPPA.

Child growth and neurodevelopment after maternal antenatal antibiotic treatment

ObjectiveTo assess whether intermittent preventive treatment of pregnant women (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine (SP) and azithromycin (AZI) in a malaria-endemic area leads to sustained gains in linear growth and development in...

Variations in Raven's Progressive Matrices scores among Chinese children and adolescents

Several studies have assessed intelligence using Raven's Progressive Matrices (RPM) across the life span. However, limited research has been done on the current Chinese population. This study recruited 6970 children and adolescents (age = 8–16 years) from eastern China to investigate intelligence and its variations. The results showed that Standard Progressive Matrices (SPM) scores are correlated to Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) scores for 8–16 year olds (P < 0.05). The 50th percentile of both the SPM and CPM scores could be an effective indicator of the cognitive growth curve increase from ages 8 to 16 years. The CPM test, a simple version, may be applicable for children under 10 years of age, and the SPM scores could be used for the transformation of the IQ score. Girls slightly outperformed boys with two IQ points at age 13 and15 to 16 years. In addition, day students had an advantage of 1–2 SPM scores and 2–4 IQ points compared to boarding school students between the ages of 12 to 14 years. In general, our results agree with sex differences on the RPM, especially at ages 13, 15 and 16 years. Further research is needed to enhance performance on the intelligence tests.

Relationship between socioeconomic factors and intelligence of preschoolers: A cohort study in the Serbian context

The aim of the current research is to analyse the relationship between the socioeconomic status (SES) of parents and intellectual abilities (IQ) of preschool children of Serbian territory, and in particular how SES factors relate to preschool children’s IQ measured with Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM), in the different age groups. The research included 430 parents and 430 preschool children. A confirmatory factor analysis of the SES questionnaire revealed five factors: educational and professional status of father and mother, residential and educational status of the family, sport status of parents and comfort of family housing. No gender differences in IQ levels were found in children. Multiple linear regression at four age groups showed that the educational status of the parents and residential and educational status of the family was positively correlated with the IQ at the older groups of preschool children. Two groups of children with the lowest and highest Raven’s CPM scores (1st and 4th quartiles) were used in the Logistic Regression, which determined the significant predictive value of SES factor in children with low Raven’s CPM scores. The results of the current research are in line with other studies on the topic, emphasizing the critical role of social environment for cognitive abilities of children.

Erratum: "Prenatal Exposure to DDT and Pyrethroids for Malaria Control and Child Neurodevelopment: The VHEMBE Cohort, South Africa".

Erratum: "Prenatal Exposure to DDT and Pyrethroids for Malaria Control and Child Neurodevelopment: The VHEMBE Cohort, South Africa".

The Landscape Montage Technique for diagnosing frontotemporal dementia starting as primary progressive aphasia: a case report

BackgroundThe Landscape Montage Technique was originally developed by Hisao Nakai, a Japanese psychiatrist, to pursue the possibility and application of a psychotherapeutic approach using drawing for patients with schizophrenia. Drawing was initially adopted to evaluate patients with an impaired ability for verbal expression, particularly for the diagnosis and treatment of patients with schizophrenia. Since its development, the Landscape Montage Technique has been utilized in various clinical settings throughout Japan. This study aimed to evaluate the psychiatric conditions of a patient diagnosed as having primary progressive aphasia using the Landscape Montage Technique at a 3-year follow-up.Case presentationWe present the case of a 64-year-old, right-handed Japanese woman initially diagnosed as having logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia or logopenic aphasia. At a 3-year follow-up, logopenic aphasia progressed to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia or frontotemporal dementia. According to her husband, she began to have speech difficulties approximately 5 years before her first visit. The results of neurocognitive tests suggested mild cognitive impairment or early stages of dementia. Her clinical dementia rating score was 0.5, suggesting a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment. She had a Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices score of 31 out of 36, which indicated a nonverbal cognitive ability that was greater than the 90th percentile for her age. The Japanese Standard Language Test of Aphasia, which was performed at two points during the follow-up, indicated the possibility for a diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia given the progression of her aphasia. Based on her clinical symptoms and Japanese Standard Language Test of Aphasia results, a diagnosis of logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia was established. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed severe predominant left frontal and anterior temporal atrophy, as well as bilateral parietal atrophy. Amyloid beta deposition was negative. At the 3-year follow-up, logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia had progressed to behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia. However, the Landscape Montage Technique allowed for the diagnosis of behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia only 2 years after baseline.ConclusionsThe present study showed that the Landscape Montage Technique can be useful for diagnosing behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia that starts as logopenic variant primary progressive aphasia at earlier stages.

Associations of IGF-1 and Adrenal Androgens with Cognition in Childhood

Background: Little is known about the association between adrenarche and cognition in general populations of children. We therefore studied the associations of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), androstenedione (A4), testosterone, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and adrenarche with cognition among prepubertal children. Methods: These cross-sectional analyses are based on baseline data of the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study. A total of 387 children (183 girls, 204 boys) were included in the analyses. Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) score was used to assess nonverbal reasoning. Serum adrenal androgens and IGF-1 concentrations were measured and clinical signs of androgen action were evaluated. Results: Higher IGF-1 among boys (β = 0.149, p =0.033) was related to a better Raven’s CPM score after adjustment for age and parental education. Adrenal androgens in girls or boys or IGF-1 in girls were not associated with the score. There were no differences in Raven’s CPM score between children with biochemical adrenarche (DHEAS ≥1.08 µmol/L; ≥40 µg/dL) or with clinical signs of androgen action and children without them. Conclusion: The results suggest that higher serum IGF-1 among boys is related to better cognition in prepubertal children. We could not provide evidence for the associations of adrenal maturation with cognition in prepubertal children.

Raven coloured progressive matrices in migraine without aura patients.

Conflicting results emerged from studies investigating cognitive performances in migraine patients. Based on clinical and neuroradiological aspects, the possible involvement of executive functions has been especially taken into consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a population of subjects affected by migraine without aura (MwoA), frontal lobe cognitive functions. We enrolled all the consecutive patients affected by MwoA referred to our headache centre for a first evaluation. Each patient underwent a neuropsychological evaluation including Raven coloured progressive matrices (CPM). We collected variables as age, education, years of migraine, frequency of attacks and CPM scores. Relationship between continuous variables was explored with multiple regression lines, selecting the best-fitting trendline for each relationship. We obtained a final sample of 36 subjects (females: 62.5%; mean age: 42.25±10.21years). Patients had mean length of migraine history of 12.25±11.00years and a mean frequency of attacks of 8.06±7.15 per month. Linear regression underlines a progressive decrease of CPM score with the increase of the migraine history's length (R 2=0.8871; p<0.001), and the frequency of migraine attacks (R 2=0.3122; p<0.05). Our findings suggest that pathological CPM scores can be associated with the severity of migraine. These data seem to confirm the hypothesis of an impairment of executive functions in MwoA. Different hypotheses to explain cognitive impairment in migraine have been postulated including the impact of the typical white matter lesions and a long history of drug abuse. The possible relevant clinical consequence of a full comprehension of this particular aspect related to migraine deserves further attention and consideration.

Sleep spindles and intelligence in early childhood-developmental and trait-dependent aspects.

Sleep spindles act as a powerful marker of individual differences in cognitive ability. Sleep spindle parameters correlate with both age-related changes in cognitive abilities and with the age-independent concept of IQ. While some studies have specifically demonstrated the relationship between sleep spindles and intelligence in young children, our previous work in older subjects revealed sex differences in the sleep spindle correlates of IQ, which was never investigated in small children before. We investigated the relationship between age, Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) scores and sleep spindles in 28 young children (age 4-8 years, 15 girls). We specifically investigated sex differences in the psychometric correlates of sleep spindles. We also aimed to separate the correlates of sleep spindles that are because of age-related maturation from other effects that reflect an age-independent relationship between sleep spindles and general intelligence. Our results revealed a modest positive correlation between fast spindle amplitude and age. Raven CPM scores positively correlated with both slow and fast spindle amplitude, but this effect remained a tendency in males and vanished after correcting for the effects of age. Age-corrected correlations between Raven CPM scores and both slow and fast spindle amplitude were only significant in females. Overall, our results show that in male children sleep spindles are a maturational marker, but in female children they indicate trait-like intelligence, in line with previous studies in adolescent and adult subjects. Thalamocortical white matter connectivity may be the underlying mechanism behind both higher spindle amplitude and higher intelligence in female, but not male subjects. (PsycINFO Database Record

Associations of diet quality with cognition in children - the Physical Activity and Nutrition in Children Study.

Evidence on the associations of dietary patterns with cognition in children is limited. Therefore, we investigated the associations of the Baltic Sea Diet Score (BSDS) and the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) score with cognition in children. The present cross-sectional study sample included 428 children aged 6-8 years (216 boys and 212 girls). The BSDS and the DASH score were calculated using data from 4d food records, higher scores indicating better diet quality. Cognition was assessed by the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) score, a higher score indicating better cognition. Among all children, the BSDS (standardised regression coefficient β=0·122, P=0·012) and the DASH score (β=0·121, P=0·015) were directly associated with the Raven's CPM score. Among boys, a lower BSDS (β=0·244, P<0·001) and a lower DASH score (β=0·202, P=0·003) were related to a lower Raven's CPM score. Boys in the lowest quartile of the BSDS (22·5 v. 25·3, P=0·029) and the DASH score (22·4 v. 25·7, P=0·008) had a lower Raven's CPM score than those in the highest quartile of the corresponding score. Among girls, the BSDS or the DASH score were not associated with cognition. In conclusion, a poorer diet quality was associated with worse cognition in children, and the relationship was stronger in boys than in girls.

Assessing childhood malnutrition in Haiti: Is the United Nations Millennium Goal #4 being met?

and the level of cognitive function at a school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Demographic data was also collected from 175 students between the ages of 5 to 11 years old. Exclusions were those children with a known mental disability. Each student had their hemoglobin levels measured using the STAT-Site Hgb Meter. Cognitive function was measured by the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) exam. The CPM exam measures nonverbal intelligence and was selected because it is language independent. Outcomes & Evaluation: The correlation between the level of anemia and the level of cognitive function was .001 showing no correlation. A T-test from the CPM score also showed no significant difference. Of significance (Beta1⁄40.16, t1⁄4 2.5, p1⁄4 0.01) was the correlation between cognitive function and monthly household income. Going Forward: Although the original hypothesis of anemia negatively affecting cognitive function was disproved, it is worthwhile to further investigate the relation between household income and cognitive function. Time spent with parent and child doing homework, the opinion of parents and others in the household on the value of education, and the level of education of the parents are a few of the items that could be considered. Higher incomes resulting in improved nutrition could also contribute to higher hemoglobin levels and higher CPM scores. All of these variables should be studied to show the correlation between household income and cognitive function in children. Funding: Funding was provided through Brigham Young University’s Graduate Research Fellowship. Abstract #: 02SEDH005

Intimate partner violence and condom versus other modern contraception use among married women in rural India

and the level of cognitive function at a school in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Demographic data was also collected from 175 students between the ages of 5 to 11 years old. Exclusions were those children with a known mental disability. Each student had their hemoglobin levels measured using the STAT-Site Hgb Meter. Cognitive function was measured by the Raven Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) exam. The CPM exam measures nonverbal intelligence and was selected because it is language independent. Outcomes & Evaluation: The correlation between the level of anemia and the level of cognitive function was .001 showing no correlation. A T-test from the CPM score also showed no significant difference. Of significance (Beta1⁄40.16, t1⁄4 2.5, p1⁄4 0.01) was the correlation between cognitive function and monthly household income. Going Forward: Although the original hypothesis of anemia negatively affecting cognitive function was disproved, it is worthwhile to further investigate the relation between household income and cognitive function. Time spent with parent and child doing homework, the opinion of parents and others in the household on the value of education, and the level of education of the parents are a few of the items that could be considered. Higher incomes resulting in improved nutrition could also contribute to higher hemoglobin levels and higher CPM scores. All of these variables should be studied to show the correlation between household income and cognitive function in children. Funding: Funding was provided through Brigham Young University’s Graduate Research Fellowship. Abstract #: 02SEDH005

The Shortened Visuospatial Questionnaire for Children: A Useful Tool to Identify Students With Low Visuospatial Abilities

The current research was aimed mainly at exploring the reliability of a short-screening tool developed to self-evaluate visuospatial abilities in children. We presented 290 Italian third, fourth, and fifth graders with the 16-item Shortened Visuospatial questionnaire and several objective measures of intellectual efficiency, such as Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices test, and verbal meaning, spatial relations, and perceptual speed measures based on the Primary Mental Abilities Battery. At the same time, a corresponding 18-item Shortened Visuospatial questionnaire was administered to teachers. Results show a sufficient connection between the visuospatial index of the Shortened Visuospatial questionnaire for children, its counterpart developed for teachers, and objective measures of intellectual efficiency. Finally, Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices score accurately predicted the visuospatial index of the Shortened Visuospatial questionnaire completed by children. In conclusion, the Shortened Visuospatial questionnaire is a rapid and reliable tool for the early screening of visuospatial deficits.

Diet in the early years of life influences cognitive outcomes at 10 years: a prospective cohort study

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between diet during the first 3years of life and cognitive outcomes at 10years of age. The Raine Study is a longitudinal study of 2868 children and their families. Based on the foods reported to be eaten at age one, two and three, an Eating Assessment in Toddlers diet score was developed, consisting of seven components. Cognition was measured by the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-III (PPVT-III) and the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices at the 10-year follow-up. Associations were assessed in multivariate regression models. A higher Eating Assessment in Toddlers diet score at age one was associated with higher PPVT-III [β=0.12 (0.05, 0.19), p=0.001] and Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices scores [β=0.17 (0.02, 0.33), p=0.025] at age ten after adjustments. Increased fruit consumption at age one was positively associated, while increased sweetened beverage consumption was negatively associated with cognitive development. Dairy consumption at ages two and three had positive associations with the PPVT-III and at age two with the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices. A better diet quality during the early years of life may have a positive effect on cognitive ability later in childhood.

Cerebral hemodynamics and cognitive performance in bilateral asymptomatic carotid stenosis

To evaluate cognitive performance in subjects with bilateral asymptomatic carotid stenosis (B-ACS) compared to subjects with unilateral ACS and to subjects with no carotid stenosis (CS) and to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and cerebral hemodynamics status in B-ACS. The neuropsychological investigation included phonemic (ph) and categorical (ca) Verbal Fluency (VF) tests for exploring the left brain functions and Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) and Complex Figure Copy Test (CFCT) for the right brain. Cerebral hemodynamics status was assessed using the transcranial Doppler-based breath-holding index test. A total of 333 subjects were included: 127 B-ACS, 73/77 left/right unilateral ACS, 56 no CS, mean age 70 ± 3.78 years, 65 male. Subjects with B-ACS and subjects with unilateral ACS showed significantly lower scores in all cognitive tests compared to subjects with no CS (p < 0.05). Subjects with B-ACS with left impaired hemodynamics status showed a significantly reduced ph-VF score, from 13.4 (95% confidence interval [CI] 11.2-15.8) to 7.5 (95% CI 5.4-9.7), and a reduced ca-VF score, from 19.7 (95% CI 18.1-24.1) to 10.8 (95% CI 9.5-15.1), compared to subjects with no CS. Similarly, impaired cerebral hemodynamics in the right side was associated with a significantly reduced CPM score, from an estimated mean of 34.2 (95% CI 29.8-35.4) to 24.6 (95% CI 20.2-25.8), and CFCT score from 37.0 (95% CI 32.0-37.4) to 27.1 (95% CI 23.3-28.7). All comparisons were p < 0.05. Subjects with B-ACS and subjects with unilateral ACS are more likely to have cognitive dysfunction compared to subjects with no CS. There appears to be a link between cognitive dysfunction and hemodynamics impairment due to carotid stenosis.

Abstract 78: Cerebral Hemodynamic and Cognitive Performance in Bilateral Asymptomatic Carotid Stenosis

Background: Preliminary studies have reported cognitive dysfunction in unilateral asymptomatic carotid stenosis (ACS). Impaired cerebral hemodynamic status measured by cerebrovascular reactivity has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in unilateral ACS. Objectives: (1) To evaluate cognitive performance in bilateral ACS compared to unilateral ACS and healthy subjects and (2) to explore the relationship between cognitive performance and cerebral hemodynamic status in bilateral ACS. Method: Asymptomatic patients with ultrasound evidence of bilateral or unilateral ACS (60%-99% diameter reduction) were prospectively collected. Healthy subjects (HS) comparable for demographics and vascular risk profile served as controls. A neuropsychological investigation included phonemic and categorical Verbal Fluency (VF) tests to explore the left hemisphere and Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM), and Complex Figure Test Copy (CFTC) tests to explore the right hemisphere. Cerebrovascular reactivity (CVR) to hypercapnia using the transcranial Doppler (TCD) based breath-holding index (BHI) test was performed in each subject. Impaired CVR was defined as a BHI &lt; 0.69. Generalized linear multivariate and univariate models were employed to evaluate the mean difference on left and right cognitive test abilities in bilateral ACS patients with left and right preserved or impaired CVR. Vascular risk factors, education years, mini-mental status examination (MMSE), and current medications were included as covariates. Results: Three-hundred-thirty-three consecutive subjects were included: 126 bilateral ACS; 73/75 left/ right unilateral ACS; 56 HS; mean age: 70 ± 3.78 yrs; males: 65%; education years: 10.3±3.7; MMSE score: 26.7±1.27. Bilateral and unilateral ACS patients showed significantly lower scores in all cognitive tests compared to HS (p&lt;0.05). In the multivariate analysis, among bilateral ACS an impaired CVR in the right side was associated with a significantly reduced CPM score: from an estimated mean of 32.6 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 29.8-35.4) to 23.0 (95% CI: 20.2-25.8) and the CFTC score from 34.7 (95% CI: 32.0-37.4) to 26.0 (95% CI: 23.3-28.7). Similarly, an impaired CVR on the left side was associated with a reduced phonemic VF score: 13.5 (95% CI: 11.2-15.8) to 7.5 (95% CI: 5.4-9.7) and categorical VF score from 21.1 (95% CI: 18.1-24.1) to 12.3 (95% CI: 9.5-15.1). All comparisons were p&lt;0.05. Conclusion: Patients with unilateral or bilateral ACS are more likely to suffer cognitive dysfunction compared to healthy controls. Impaired CVR predicts the development of cognitive dysfunction in bilateral ACS. A non-invasive assessment of CVR using the TCD-based BHI test may contribute to a more comprehensive risk stratification in these patients.

Long-term effects of iron and zinc supplementation during infancy on cognitive function at 9 y of age in northeast Thai children: a follow-up study

Iron and zinc are important micronutrients for child growth and development. One would expect that iron and zinc supplementation in infancy would affect long-term cognitive development and school achievement, but this has not been evaluated. We investigated the effect of iron or zinc supplementation or both during infancy on cognitive performance 8 y later. A follow-up study was performed in 560 children aged 9 y or 92% of those who had participated in a randomized controlled trial involving 4 groups who received daily iron, zinc, iron plus zinc, or a placebo at 4-6 mo of age for 6 mo. Cognitive performance was assessed by using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (Thai version), the Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM), and school performance tests. General linear mixed models were used to assess long-term effects. No significant differences in any of the outcomes at 9 y of age were observed at follow-up between the 4 groups. Mean intelligence quotients ranged across groups from 92.9 to 93.7 for full scale, 93.9-95.4 for verbal, and 93.1-94.0 for performance. The Raven's CPM score ranged from 21.4 to 22.4. Supplementation with iron or zinc or both during infancy does not lead to long-term cognitive improvement in 9-y-old children. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00824304.

Deterioration of abstract reasoning ability in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease: correlation with regional grey matter volume loss revealed by diffeomorphic anatomical registration through exponentiated lie algebra analysis

To determine which brain regions are relevant to deterioration in abstract reasoning as measured by Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) in the context of dementia. MR images of 37 consecutive patients including 19 with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 18 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were administered the CPM. Regional grey matter (GM) volume was evaluated according to the regimens of voxel-based morphometry, during which a non-linear registration algorithm called Diffeomorphic Anatomical Registration Through Exponentiated Lie algebra was employed. Multiple regression analyses were used to map the regions where GM volumes were correlated with CPM scores. The strongest correlation with CPM scores was seen in the left middle frontal gyrus while a region with the largest volume was identified in the left superior temporal gyrus. Significant correlations were seen in 14 additional regions in the bilateral cerebral hemispheres and right cerebellum. Deterioration of abstract reasoning ability in AD and aMCI measured by CPM is related to GM loss in multiple regions, which is in close agreement with the results of previous activation studies.

P02-71 - Competence to give informed consent in acute psychiatric hospitalization. Preliminary results from a case-control study

ObjectivesTo asses competence to consent to treatment in involuntary committed patients (ICP) for a mental disorder, as compared to matched acute voluntary hospitalized patients (VHP). To evaluate the effect of psychopathology severity and cognitive dysfunction on decisional capacity.MethodsCases were recruited among ICP at the Umberto I Hospital, ‘Sapienza’ University of Rome; controls were age- and sex-matched VHP, in the same ward and time period. Subjects were diagnosed according to DSM-IV-TR criteria and further evaluated through a) MacArthur Competence Assessment Tool for Treatment (MacCAT-T) b) Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale-24 (BPRS) c) Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) d) Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE).ResultsEighteen cases were enrolled (67% women), mean age was 25.1 ± 2.8 years. There were no differences between groups in: diagnostic distribution (40% schizophrenic spectrum disorders, 40% mood disorders, 20% other diagnosis), disease duration, MMSE. ICP had higher BPRS total scores (mean difference ± S.D.= 10.3 ± 19.4; [95% C.I.= 0.6 ÷ -20.0]), and performed worse than VHP in MacCAT-T comprehension (-1.0 ± 1.3; [95% C.I.= -1.6 ÷ -0.3]), appreciation (-1,7 ± 2.0; [95% C.I.= -3.0 ÷ -0.7]), reasoning (-2.1 ± 2.9; [95% C.I.= -3.6 ÷ -0.7]) and expression of a choice (-0.8 ± 1.0 [95% C.I.= -1.3 ÷ -0.3]). Competence to give informed consent was associated with psychopathological dimensions but not with MMSE and CPM scores, in the sample overall.ConclusionCompetence to consent to treatment was reduced in ICP compared to VHP. Involuntary commitment was not necessarily associated with incapability of making treatment decisions.

Concurrent and Predictive Validity of the Raven Progressive Matrices and the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test

The concurrent and predictive validities of the Naglieri Nonverbal Ability Test (NNAT) and Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices (CPM) were investigated in a large group of Italian third-and fifth-grade students with different sociocultural levels evaluated at the beginning and end of the school year. CPM and NNAT scores were related to math and reading comprehension tests. The CPM and NNAT concurrent and predictive validity coefficients were moderate, and there were no differences between concurrent and predictive validities with reading scores. The mutual incremental concurrent validity of the NNAT with the math test was significantly higher than the corresponding CPM validity. Finally, via step-down hierarchical regression analysis, the authors found that the predictive validity of both nonverbal tests is independent from the participants’ sociocultural level. These two relatively simple nonverbal tests are commonly used to assess general ability; however, the present study shows that they can also provide useful information for predicting the academic performance of students with different sociocultural levels.