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Executive Functions in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Young Adults: A Comparison between Self-report and Neuropsychological Test Results

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 April 2014

Anne Elisabeth Sølsnes ,
Jon Skranes ,
Ann-Mari Brubakk  and
Gro C.C. Løhaugen
Anne Elisabeth Sølsnes*
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
Jon Skranes
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital HF, Arendal, Norway
Ann-Mari Brubakk
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Department of Pediatrics, St Olav University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
Gro C.C. Løhaugen
Affiliation:
Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway Department of Pediatrics, Sørlandet Hospital HF, Arendal, Norway
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to: Anne Elisabeth Sølsnes, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Children’s and Women’s Health, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, N-7489 Trondheim, Norway. E-mail: anne.e.solsnes@ntnu.no
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Abstract

Executive functions are goal-directed control mechanisms that modulate the operation of other cognitive processes. Preterm born very-low-birth-weight (VLBW: birth weight<1500 grams) children have more problems with attention/executive function than their term born peers. The objective of this study is to examine if VLBW young adults had more self-reported attention/ executive problems and lower neuropsychological test results than controls. Furthermore, to investigate the relationship between self-reported attention/executive problems, general cognitive ability (IQ) and test results. Forty-two VLBW [mean birth weight 1237 (219) grams, and gestational age 29.3 (2.4) weeks] and 63 term born controls at age 19 years completed The BRIEF-A self-report of attention/executive functions in everyday life. The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III was used to obtain IQ scores; subtests from Delis-Kaplan were used to assess attention/executive function. There were no differences between the VLBW young adults and controls on any of the BRIEF-A measures, but the VLBW subjects had lower scores on 8 of the 18 neuropsychological subtests (p<.01). Some correlations between BRIEF-A and the Stroop and TMT tests were found in the VLBW group. VLBW young adults do not report more problems regarding attention/executive function in daily life than controls despite lower results on several neuropsychological tests. (JINS, 2014, 20, 1–10)

Keywords

Executive functionsVery low birth weightYoung adultsSelf-reportNeuropsychological testBRIEF-A
Type
Research Articles
Information
Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society , Volume 20 , Issue 5 , May 2014 , pp. 506 - 515
Copyright
Copyright © The International Neuropsychological Society 2014 

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