title: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis patients show executive impairments on standard neuropsychological measures and an ecologically valid motor-free test of executive functions.
abstract: The study aimed to evaluate the nature and extent of executive deficits in nondemented amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients. A total of 22 ALS patients and 21 matched controls were compared on standard neuropsychological tests of executive functions with appropriate control for motor impairment and on an ecologically valid motor-free test of executive functions, the Medication Scheduling Task (MST). Our results show that motor dysfunction can present a significant confound when using standard neuropsychological measures; however, even when accounting for motor disabilities, ALS patients show a robust pattern of cognitive dysfunctions. Additionally, MST was shown to be a sensitive measure of cognitive impairment, providing an important insight into cognitive processes relevant for patients' daily living.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia. vita.stukovnik@kclj.si
authors.forename: Vita
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Stukovnik
authors.forename: Janez
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zidar
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Podnar
authors.forename: Grega
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Repovs
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D001415:Back; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D056344:Executive Function / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D019782:Riluzole / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012651:Self Medication / Q000523:psychology; D013122:Spinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D057190:Stroop Test; D014705:Verbal Behavior
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D019782:Riluzole