Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) Clinical Normative Data for Gulf War Veterans

Abstract

Objective: Heterogenous test batteries and methods applied in neurocognitive research on Gulf War Veterans (GWVs) limit the translation of findings to clinical practice. A clinical data set is necessary. Methods: Neurocognitive screening data from treatment-seeking GWVs were collected from multiple sites and compiled, informed by consideration of performance validity. Results: Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status scores revealed the cognitive profile for GWVs (n = 189) as poorer across multiple domains when compared with similarly educated, nonveteran peers. However, mean scores generally remained within normal clinical limits. Data tables are presented to establish a comparison group for use in clinical care. Conclusions: When assessing cognitive symptoms in GWVs, attention to education level and interpretation of subtle deficits is warranted. Current results highlight the importance of nuanced translation of neurocognitive research findings into clinical practice with GWVs.

Cognitive decrements in 1991 Gulf War veterans: associations with Gulf War illness and neurotoxicant exposures in the Boston Biorepository, Recruitment, and Integrative Network (BBRAIN) cohorts

“…This suggests that specific exposures to repellents or organophosphate and carbamate pesticides may have individual and combined effects on cognitive outcomes for exposed veterans [29,30]. Future studies should utilize the cognitive CDEs supported by findings from this study and may also benefit from comparing more sensitive computerized and screening measures as well as those that assess real-world subjective impacts of cognitive changes as Gulf War veterans age [31,32]. However, the CDE tests utilized in this report could be used as minimum data elements for all future studies evaluating cognitive outcomes in veterans with GWI.…”

“…This included a lack of visuospatial tests across our repository studies. In addition, further insight into cognitive deficits may be gained with a wider array and fuller battery of tests including newer computerized and screening instruments from the CDEs [31]. Testing results from CDE measures also largely remain to be correlated with subjective cognitive complaints to assess their real-world implications [32].…”