Factor analyzing the Norwegian MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery.
OBJECTIVE
The MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery (MCCB) assesses seven cognitive domains with 10 subtests. This domain structure has not been demonstrated. Three factors have been produced in US samples. We examined the dimensional structure of the Norwegian MCCB. In addition, we studied the contribution of each subtest to the battery sum score.


METHODS
The participants were 131 patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders and 300 healthy controls. Their Norwegian MCCB test scores were subject to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and regression analysis.


RESULTS
The theoretical MCCB factor structure was not shown. In the patient group, three-factor and two-factor models had acceptable fit. In both groups, the Symbol Coding, Spatial Span, Letter-Number Span, and Visual Learning subtests contributed most to the sum score.


CONCLUSIONS
The theoretical domain structure of the MCCB could not be demonstrated in these Norwegian participants. Consonant with US studies, models with three and two factors had mediocre fit, and in the schizophrenia spectrum disorder group only. In both groups, the subtests Symbol Coding, Working Memory, and Learning were the most sensitive in tapping general neurocognitive performance, supporting US results. We conclude that in both Norway and the USA, the MCCB generates the same cognitive domains through factor analysis, but that these domains are not the ones suggested by the MATRICS project.
Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.
Christine
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-9996-4613
C
Mohn
Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.
June U
JU
Lystad
Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.|Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Torill
T
Ueland
Division of Mental Health and Addiction, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway.|Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Erik
E
Falkum
Research Department, Vestre Viken Hospital Trust, Drammen, Norway.|Department of Psychology, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
Bjørn R
BR
Rund
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005163:Factor Analysis, Statistical; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008960:Models, Psychological; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009664:Norway; D011594:Psychometrics; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D055815:Young Adult
MATRICS Consensus Cognitive Battery; cognition; factor analysis; neuropsychology; schizophrenia