title: Executive functioning mediates the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning: a Project FRONTIER study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating impact of executive functioning on the link between other neuropsychological domain scores and informant-based rating of functional status.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on 181 participants were analyzed from an ongoing epidemiological study of rural health, Project FRONTIER (mean age = 64.6 ± 13.8 years, 69% women, 42% Mexican American). Executive functioning was assessed by the EXIT25 and other neuropsychological domains were assessed via the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Informant-based rating of functional status was assessed via the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale sum of boxes scores (CDR SB).
  
  
  RESULTS
  RBANS Index scores were each significantly (p < 0.05) related to CDR SB scores and EXIT25 scores. EXIT25 score was a significant partial mediator of the link between four RBANS indices (Immediate Memory, Attention, Visuospatial/Construction, Delayed Memory) and CDR SB scores, and a complete mediator of the fifth index (Language).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Executive functioning is a mediator of the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning. Neuropsychological assessments that do not measure executive functioning will provide only a partial clinical picture with adults and elders.
authors.affiliation: F. Marie Hall Institute for Rural and Community Health, Texas Tech Health Sciences Center, Lubbock, TX 79430-6232, USA. sid.obryant@ttuhsc.edu
authors.forename: Sid E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: O'Bryant
authors.forename: Jed
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Falkowski
authors.forename: Valerie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Hobson
authors.forename: Leigh
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hall
authors.forename: Gregory W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Schrimsher
authors.forename: Ohmar
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Win
authors.forename: Bichthy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ngo
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dentino
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001288:Attention; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012424:Rural Population; D013028:Space Perception; D014796:Visual Perception