NEURONORMA Young Adults Project Research Articles

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): Norms for the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (copy and memory) and Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test

IntroductionThe Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF) and the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) are widely used in clinical practice. The ROCF assesses visual perception, constructional praxis, and visuo-spatial memory. The FCSRT assesses verbal learning and memory. ObjectiveIn this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present age- and education-adjusted normative data for both tests obtained by using linear regression techniques. Materials and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 healthy participants ranging in age from 18 to 49 years. We provide tables for converting raw scores to scaled scores in addition to tables with scores adjusted by socio-demographic factors. ResultsThe results showed that education affects scores for some of the memory tests and the figure-copying task. Age was only found to have an effect on the performance of visuo-spatial memory tests, and the effect of sex was negligible. ConclusionsThe normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical neuropsychological evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): Norms for the Visual Object and Space Perception Battery and Judgment of Line Orientation tests

IntroductionThe Visual Object and Space Perception Battery (VOSP) and Judgment of Line Orientation tests (JLO) are used in clinical practice to assess visuoperceptual and visuospatial abilities. ObjectiveIn this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for a short version of the VOSP test and for the JLO test. Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Education- and sex-adjusted scores were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. ResultsOur results show that education and sex only affect scores on the JLO test, and that age has no effect. ConclusionsThe normative data obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): Norms for Stroop Color–Word Interference and Tower of London-Drexel University tests

IntroductionThe Stroop Color–Word Interference Test (Stroop) measures cognitive flexibility, selective attention, cognitive inhibition and information processing speed. The Tower of London-Drexel University version test (TOLDX) assesses higher-order problem solving and executive planning abilities. ObjectiveIn this study, as part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we present normative data for the Stroop and TOLDX tests. Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Scores adjusted for sociodemographic factors were obtained by applying linear regression techniques. ResultsNo effects were found for age and sex in either test. Educational level impacted most of the Stroop test variables and some of the TOLDX scores (total moves score and total initiation time score). ConclusionsThe norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project): Norms for verbal fluency tests

IntroductionLexical fluency tests are frequently used in clinical practice to assess language and executive function. ObjectiveAs part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults), we provide age- and education-adjusted normative data for 3 semantic fluency tasks (animals, fruits and vegetables, and kitchen tools), three formal lexical fluency tasks (words beginning with P, M and R), three excluded-letter fluency tasks (words excluding A, E and S) and a verb fluency task. Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Age- and education-adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regression techniques. ResultsThe results show that education impacted most of the verbal fluency test scores, with no effect related to age and only minimal effects related to sex. ConclusionsThe norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults project): Norms for the Boston Naming Test and the Token Test

IntroductionThe Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Token Test (TT) are frequently used in clinical practice to assess naming and comprehension. ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to present normative data for the BNT and for the TT as part of the NEURONORMA young adults project. Material and methodsA total of 179 Spanish healthy subjects from 18 to 49 years old were evaluated. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age- and education- adjusted scores are obtained by applying linear regressions. ResultsThe results show an effect of education in both tests, and a minimal effect of age and sex. ConclusionsThe normative data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults project): Guidelines for the span verbal, span visuo-spatial, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test and Symbol Digit Modalities Test

IntroductionVerbal and visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing (LNS), Trail Making Test (TMT), and Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) are frequently used in clinical practice to assess attention, executive functions and memory.In the present study, as part of the Spanish normative studies of NEURONORMA young adults Project, normative data adjusted by age and education are provided for Digits, Corsi Block-Tapping Task, LNS, TMT, and SDMT. Subjects and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants from 18 to 49 years old, who were cognitively normal. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age and education adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regressions. ResultsEducation affected scores in most of the attention tests; age was found to be related to the visuospatial span and to speed of visuomotor tracking, and there was no relationship as regards sex. ConclusionsThe current normative data should provide clinically useful data for evaluating young Spanish adults.

Spanish normative studies in a young adult population (NEURONORMA young adults project): Methods and characteristics of the sample

IntroductionIn clinical neuropsychology, normative data are necessary to relate the performance of a subject to a reference group. These normative data should be collected from a pertinent population taking into account sociodemographic and cultural factors. ObjectiveThis paper describes the methods and sample characteristics of a series of Spanish normative studies on young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project, NNy). The normative information was based on a series of selected, commonly used, neuropsychological tests covering attention, language, visual-perceptual abilities, constructional tasks, memory, and executive functions. Material and methodsA sample of 179 cognitively normal subjects from 18 to 49 years was studied. Demographics, socio-cultural, and medical data were collected. The statistical procedure used in the normative studies is described. ResultsSociodemographic, family background, health habits, medical history and use of drugs are presented. ConclusionsThe use of these norms should improve neuropsychological diagnostic accuracy in young Spanish subjects. These data may also be of considerable use for comparisons with other normative studies.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para los test de fluencia verbal

IntroductionLexical fluency tests are frequently used in clinical practice to assess language and executive function. ObjectiveAs part of the Spanish normative studies project in young adults (NEURONORMA young adults project), we provide age- and education-adjusted normative data for 3 semantic fluency tasks (animals, fruits and vegetables, and kitchen tools), three formal lexical fluency tasks (words beginning with P, M and R), three excluded-letter fluency tasks (words excluding A, E and S) and a verb fluency task. Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants who are cognitively normal and range in age from 18 to 49 years. Tables are provided to convert raw scores to scaled scores. Age- and education-adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regression techniques. ResultsThe results show that education impacted most of the verbal fluency test scores, with no effects related to age and only minimal effects related to sex. ConclusionsThe norms obtained will be extremely useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para el Boston Naming Test y el Token Test

IntroductionThe Boston Naming Test (BNT) and the Token Test (TT) are frequently used in clinical practice to assess naming and comprehension. ObjectiveThe aim of this paper is to present normative data for the BNT and for the TT as part of the NEURONORMA young adults Project. Material and methodsA total of 179 Spanish healthy subjects from 18 to 49 years old were evaluated. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age- and education- adjusted scores are obtained by applying linear regressions. ResultsThe results show an effect of education in both tests, and a minimal effect of age and sex. ConclusionsThe normative data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): normas para las pruebas span verbal, span visuoespacial, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test y Symbol Digit Modalities Test

IntroductionVerbal and visuospatial span, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test are frequently used in clinical practice to assess attention, executive functions and memory. ObjectiveIn the present study, as part of the Spanish normative studies of NEURONORMA young adults Project, normative data adjusted by age and education are provided for digits, Corsi Block-Tapping Task, Letter-Number Sequencing, Trail Making Test, and Symbol Digit Modalities Test. Material and methodsThe sample consisted of 179 participants from 18 to 49 years old, who were cognitively normal. Tables to convert raw scores to scaled scores are provided. Age and education adjusted scores are provided by applying linear regressions. ResultsEducation affected scores in most of the attention tests; age was found to be related to the visuospatial span and to speed of visuomotor tracking, and there was no relationship as regards sex. ConclusionsThe data obtained will be useful in the clinical evaluation of young Spanish adults.

Estudios normativos españoles en población adulta joven (Proyecto NEURONORMA jóvenes): métodos y características de la muestra

IntroductionIn clinical neuropsychology, normative data are necessary to relate the performance of a subject to a reference group. These normative data should be collected from a pertinent population taking into account sociodemographic and cultural factors. ObjectiveThis paper describes the methods and sample characteristics of a series of Spanish normative studies on young adults (NEURONORMA young adults Project). The normative information was based on a series of selected, commonly used, neuropsychological tests covering attention, language, visual-perceptual abilities, constructional tasks, memory, and executive functions. Material and methodsA sample of 179 cognitively normal subjects from 18 to 49 years was studied. Demographics, socio-cultural, and medical data were collected. The statistical procedure used in the normative studies is described. ResultsSociodemographic, family background, health habits, medical history and use of drugs are presented. ConclusionsThe use of these norms should improve neuropsychological diagnostic accuracy in young Spanish subjects. These data may also be of considerable use for comparisons with other normative studies.