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Further Evidence that Reading Ability is not Preserved in Alzheimer's Disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

R. E. O'Carroll ,
N. Prentice ,
C. Murray ,
M. Van Beck ,
K. P. Ebmeier  and
G. M. Goodwin
R. E. O'Carroll*
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
N. Prentice
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
C. Murray
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
M. Van Beck
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
K. P. Ebmeier
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
G. M. Goodwin
Affiliation:
MRC Brain Metabolism Unit
*
R. E. O'Carroll, MRC Brain Metabolism Unit, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Park, Edinburgh EH10 5HF
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Abstract

Background

Pre-morbid intelligence level is routinely assessed in Alzheimer's disease using the National Adult Reading Test (NART). This practice is based on the assumption that pronunciation of irregular words remains unaffected by the disease process. Recent reports have suggested that reading ability may become compromised in moderately demented subjects.

Method

Sixty-eight probable Alzheimer patients were classified into stages of severity (minimal, mild and moderate) using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). NART and demographic equations were used to estimate pre-morbid ability.

Results

A significant correlation emerged between dementia severity and reading ability, NART v. MMSE scores, r = 0.46, P < 0.01. When the total sample was subdivided into moderate, mild and minimal subgroups, significant between-group differences emerged, despite the groups being well matched for age, sex, and years of full-time education. Pre-morbid IQ, as estimated by demographic regression equations, did not correlate with dementia severity.

Conclusion

NART performance is compromised in moderate Alzheimer disease, and the measure provides a serious underestimate of pre-morbid IQ in patients with an MMSE of 13 or less.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 167 , Issue 5 , November 1995 , pp. 659 - 662
Copyright
Copyright © 1995 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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