title: Estimating premorbid functioning in huntington's disease: the relationship between disease progression and the wide range achievement test reading subtest.
abstract: The estimation of premorbid abilities is an essential part of a neuropsychological evaluation, especially in neurodegenerative conditions. Although word pronunciation tests are one standard method for estimating the premorbid level, research suggests that these tests may not be valid in neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, the current study sought to examine two estimates of premorbid intellect, the Wide Range Achievement Test (WRAT) Reading subtest and the Barona formula, in 93 patients with mild to moderate Huntington's disease (HD) to determine their utility and to investigate how these measures relate to signs and symptoms of disease progression. In 89% of participants, WRAT estimates were below the Barona estimates. WRAT estimates were related to worsening memory and motor functioning, whereas the Barona estimates had weaker relationships. Neither estimate was related to depression or functional capacity. Irregular word reading tests appear to decline with HD progression, whereas estimation methods based on demographic factors may be more robust but overestimate premorbid functioning.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA 52242, USA.
authors.forename: Justin J F
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: O'Rourke
authors.forename: William H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Duff
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Byars
authors.forename: Peg
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nopoulos
authors.forename: Jane S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Paulsen
authors.forename: Leigh J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Beglinger
mesh_terms: D000124:Achievement; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006816:Huntington Disease / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011594:Psychometrics; D011932:Reading; D012720:Severity of Illness Index