Computerized neuropsychological tests can be effective and have many benefits. This paper addresses these issues using the computer-based Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) to assess Brazilian children and adults. Preliminary normative data for Brazilian children obtained in a series of CANTAB subtests are presented together with data from adults (controls) and samples of patients with multiple sclerosis and Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The results obtained in children confirmed the normative values reported for American children (Luciana & Nelson, 2002), indicating high applicability of the CANTAB battery for children in the evaluation of visual memory, working memory, planning, and set shifting. For multiple sclerosis patients, CANTAB revealed differences between the control and multiple sclerosis groups for all subtests employed, including visual memory, working memory, spatial memory, decision making, inhibitory control, and sustained attention. In children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the CANTAB tests revealed specific detriments in attention and memory. These results of the application of CANTAB in different patient groups indicate that the battery is appropriate for assessing several central nervous system diseases.
The neuropsychological tests of spatial span are designed to measure attention
and working memory. The version of the spatial span test in the Cambridge
Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) evaluates these functions
through the recall of sequences of spatial locations presented to the
subject.ObjectiveThe present study investigated how age, gender and educational level might
affect the performance of the non-verbal system.MethodsA total of 60 children and adolescents aged 6 to 18 years were assessed (25
males and 35 females).ResultsThe results showed no gender differences in test performance. Children with
six or more years of education showed better performance than children with
less than three years of education. Older children had more schooling and
thus were able to recall a greater number of items. Span length values
proved similar to a previous large normative study which also employed the
CANTAB Spatial Span (De Luca et al., 2003).ConclusionThe similarity in performance of the Brazilian children and adolescents
studied and the group of Australian participants examined by the cited
authors, despite the socio-cultural and economical differences, points to
the suitability of the task for the assessment of attention and working
memory in Brazilian children.
Auditory temporal skills seem to be influenced by different factors: while the performance in temporal ordering skill seems to be influenced by maturational processes, the performance in temporal resolution was not influenced by any of the aspects investigated.
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