Anatomical and functional differences between the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test.
The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT) and the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) are generally used to detect cognitive impairments in multiple sclerosis patients. Although both seem to be sensitive to the slow information-processing speed, some results suggest that they do not involve the same cognitive functions. The aim of the present study is to observe possible differences between these tasks to help understand their utility to cognitive assessment. A total of 17 participants were recruited for the study and completed a block-design version of each task. Comparisons between tasks were calculated using an analysis of variance (ANOVA; p < .05, familywise error, FWE, corrected). We observed activations in the left frontal and parietal areas during both tasks; however, the PASAT activated more frontal areas than did the SDMT. These tasks require an efficient transfer of information among large areas. Moreover, the PASAT requires more executive functions to be executed.
Forn
Cristina
C
Universitat Jaume I, Departament de Psicologia Basica, Clinica i Psicobiologia, Castello de la Plana, Spain. forn@psb.uji.es
Belenguer
Antonio
A
Belloch
Vicente
V
Sanjuan
Ana
A
Parcet
M Antonia
MA
Avila
Cesar
C
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001307:Auditory Perception / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000098:blood supply / Q000502:physiology*; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008433:Mathematics; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D010100:Oxygen / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
D010100:Oxygen