Preliminary Standardization of the Computerized Standard Progressive Matrices in Korean Adults / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: We conducted this study to provide standardized data of the computerized Standard Progressive Matirices(SPM)test in Korean adults. METHODS: The computerized SPM test was administered to 353 healthy volunteers aged 18 years over. We provided the standardized data(percentile and standardized T-scores)for the groups with similar mean and distribution of SPM scores, which was originally divided by age and sex. The validity of the new standardized data was tested by comparing IQs estimated by SPM and K-WAIS. RESULTS: The standardized SPM data were provided for four age groups: 18 to 30 years, 31 to 40 years, 41 to 50 years, 51 years and over. IQ estimated by this standardized data tends to be closer to IQ by K-WAIS than the IQ estimated by foreign normative data. CONCLUSION: The standardized data of the computerized SPM were proven to be a useful and valid tool for measuring IQ briefly, compared with the conventional way of measuring IQ.

Predictability of Neurocognitive Functions on the Treatment Effect in Schizophrenia / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: This study was to investigate a wider range of neurocognitive function tests to find out how accurately each subtest could predict the outcomes of treatment in schizophrenics. METHODS: The subjects were 33 inpatients diagnosed as schizophrenia according to DSM-IV. Each subject had a drug wash-out period of at least 1 week, and had been given K-WAIS, WMS-R, and Signal Detection, Decision Reaction Timer, and Motor Performance Series in Vienna Test System just before drug administration. Treatment response was evaluated with BPRS and CGI scales before and 8 weeks after drug treatment. We divided the subjects into responders and non-responders according to the outcomes of the above clinical scales in week 8. The responder group was defined with having 20% increase in BPRS score and a CGI score of less than 3. Then we compared the neuropsychological test results between the two groups. RESULTS: Significantly different results between responders and non-responders were Verbal IQ and Full Scale IQ in K-WAIS, the number of correct responses in Signal Detection and Decision Reaction Timer in Vienna Test System. In discrimination analysis of the two groups using these subtests as variables, we could predict the responders with 66.7% accuracy, even though statistically non-significant. CONCLUSION: Although discriminating between responders and non-responders using neurocognitive function tests were proven to be statistically non-significant, the possibility that neurocognitive function tests can be utilized to predict the treatment outcome in schizophrenia cannot be completely ruled out.

Neurocognitive Function Tests for Elderly

The decline of cognitive functions uses to follow the increase in incidence of various organic mental disorders and systemic diseases, and administration of drugs with increasing age. The assessments of cognitive functions are needed to discriminate normal aging from other cognitive disorders and to differentiate the organic mental disorders. We have to be cautious to interpret the test results of elderly patients who are easily fatigue and frequently have sensory disturbances. There are two basic approaches to assess cognitive function of the elderly patients. One is to use standardized test batteries and another is to use several tests that are relevant to diagnostic purposes. Many assessment tools of cognitive functions have been developed and used clinically but there are a few available standardized test in Korea. It is eagerly needed to develope standardized tests that are pertinent our culture.

Preliminary Standardization of Cognitrone, a Computerized Neurocognitive Function Test in Korean Adults / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: Cognitrone Test is one of the computerized neurocognitive tests included in Vienna Test System. It assesses the ability of visuoperceptual analysis, continuous attention and the speed of information-processing. The present study aims at presenting the normative data of Korean adults for Cognitrone Test. METHODS: Cognitrone Test was administered to 353 healthy Korean volunteers aged 18 years and over. Number of correct responses, number of correct Yes-responses, number of correct No-responses, mean time of correct Yes-responses, and mean time of correct No-responses were measured in each individual. Initially the subjects were subgrouped by sex, age and educational level. And the subgroups showing similar levels of functioning were put together and analyzed as a larger unitary group. The subgroups without enough number of cases were excluded from the analysis. RESULTS: Summary scores for five variables of Cognitrone Test were given in the form of percentile and T-score distribution. For three variables representing the correctness of responses, normative data of unitary group(aged 18 to 50 years & educated more than 12 years) were presented. For two variables representing the speed of information processing, normative data of two groups(one; aged 18 to 30 years & educated more than 12 years, the other; aged 31 to 50 years & educated more than 12 years) were presented. CONCLUSIONS: The normative data of Cognitrone Test presented would be very useful in both clinical practice and research.