Normative values of the Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests in a Brazilian population sample: discrete and regression–based norms

Abstract

Objective Cognitive dysfunction is common in multiple sclerosis. The Brief Repeatable Battery of Neuropsychological Tests (BRB-N) was developed to assess cognitive functions most-frequently impaired in multiple sclerosis. However, normative values are lacking in Brazil. Therefore, we aimed to provide continuous and discrete normative values for the BRB-N in a Brazilian population sample. Methods We recruited 285 healthy individuals from the community at 10 Brazilian sites and applied the BRB-N version A in 237 participants and version B in 48 participants. Continuous norms were calculated with multiple-regression analysis. Results Mean raw scores and the 5th percentile for each neuropsychological measure are provided, stratified by age and educational level. Healthy participants' raw scores were converted to scaled scores, which were regressed on age, sex and education, yielding equations that can be used to calculate predicted scores. Conclusion Our normative data allow a more widespread use of the BRB-N in clinical practice and research.

Cognitive trajectories in relapsing–remitting multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal 6-year study

“…Baseline BRB-N test scores were first converted to scaled scores and then z scores using demographically adjusted (sex, age, and education) regression models according to Brazilian normative data. 20 Test failure was defined as z < −1.5. During follow-up, cognitive worsening was evaluated based on Standardized Regression–Based models, including baseline scores, demographic variables (sex, age, and education), and change/learning across previous trials.…”

“…We also computed the mean 6-year z score for individual domains as the mean deviation from expected score obtained from Standardized Regression–Based models and the mean scaled score for individual cognitive domains at each study time point obtained from Brazilian normative data. 20…”