title: Validity of the Wisconsin Card Sorting and Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS) Sorting Tests in multiple sclerosis.
abstract: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a disease of the central nervous system that causes cognitive impairment with a frequency of roughly 50%. While processing speed and memory defects are most commonly observed, a substantial number of patients also have deficiency in higher executive ability. Two tests, the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and the Sorting Test from the Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (DKEFS), have been recommended for evaluation of neuropsychological impairment in MS. We investigated the validity of these tests in 111 MS patients and 46 age- and education-matched controls. MS patients performed more poorly on both measures, but only the DKEFS discriminated the groups after controlling for depression. Both tests were modestly or strongly correlated with MRI indices of brain atrophy or lesion burden and discriminated between employed and disabled patients. While both tests appear to have good validity in the MS population, the availability of alternative forms makes the DKEFS an attractive alternative to the WCST, as was suggested by a consensus panel.
authors: Department of Neurology, State University of New York at Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Buffalo, NY 14203, USA.
authors: Brett A
authors: BA
authors: Parmenter
authors: Robert
authors: R
authors: Zivadinov
authors: Laura
authors: L
authors: Kerenyi
authors: Rebecca
authors: R
authors: Gavett
authors: Bianca
authors: B
authors: Weinstock-Guttman
authors: Michael G
authors: MG
authors: Dwyer
authors: Neeta
authors: N
authors: Garg
authors: Frederick
authors: F
authors: Munschauer
authors: Ralph H B
authors: RH
authors: Benedict
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009103:Multiple Sclerosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology*; D020528:Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic Progressive / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D020529:Multiple Sclerosis, Relapsing-Remitting / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009790:Occupations; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results