BackgroundVerbal fluency tasks have been identified as important indicators of executive functioning impairment in patients with Huntington’s disease (HD). The F.A.S. test has been widely used to assess phonological fluency in Anglo-Saxon people, because these three letters are the most frequent in English language. In the contrast, normative data have been developed for the letters P, M and R since they are more frequent in the Spanish population.AimsTo compare the performance in phonological verbal fluency (F.A.S vs P.M.R) in a sample of HD participants and their correlation with the global cognitive status.MethodPilot, cross sectional study. The F.A.S. and P.M.R fluency tests were administered to a sample of patients with HD (2 pre-manifests, 4 manifests). Scores in terms of correct words for each letter, perseverations and intrusions were collected. The global cognitive status was assessed by the Mini-mental State Examination (maximum score 35). Data were analysed using non parametric tests.ResultsThe F.A.S and P.M.R fluency testes were comparable (total score p = 0.24, intrusions score p = 0.31, perseveration score p = 0.08). However, there was a higher correlation of P.M.R with MMSE (rs = 0.81, p = 0.05) compared to F.A.S. (rs = 0.60, p = 0.20).ConclusionsF.A.S and P.M.R provided an equivalent measure of phonological verbal fluency in our sample. However, P.M.R seems to be a better predictor of global cognitive status. Based on these preliminary results, the phonological verbal fluency should be analysed based on the patient’s mother tongue. Further studies including a higher sample size and group differences (manifest vs. pre-manifest) are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
BackgroundThere is a growing interest in the cognitive impairment shown by patients with Huntington’s disease (HD). Alteration in visuospatial functions and saccadic eye movements had been demonstrated. Therefore, these factors should be taken into account when designing tasks to assess other cognitive domains. Stroop Colour and Word Test provide three scores based on the number of items completed on each stimulus sheet: colour naming (CN), word reading (WR) and interference (I). In Spanish population we have normative data for vertical form (items listed in columns).AimsTo compare the performance of the horizontal reading (items listed in rows) and the vertical reading (in columns) of the Stroop Test, and their correlation with the global cognitive status and eye movement disturbances in a sample of HD participants.MethodPilot, cross-sectional study. The Stroop tests were administered to 2 pre-manifest HD and 4 manifest HD patients. The global cognitive status was assessed by the Mini-mental State Examination (maximum score 35). Eye movements were assessed by the UHDRS motor scale. Data were analysed using non parametric tests.ResultsThe total scores of WR, CN and I of the Stroop tests were similar when they were administered horizontally or vertically (p = 0.91; p = 0.17, p = 0.68, respectively). However, the vertical WR showed higher correlation with the MMSE (rs = 0.84) and inverse correlation with abnormal eye movements (rs = −0.94), compared to the horizontal WR (rs = 0.75, rs = −0.89, respectively).ConclusionsVertical and horizontal forms of Stroop Test yield equivalent results in our sample. However, the vertical reading shows higher correlation with the cognitive status and with eye movement disturbances compared to the horizontal reading. Further studies including higher sample size and group differences (manifest vs. pre-manifest) are needed to confirm these preliminary results.
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