Hi Clarissa

There's some very classic executive function tests that you might want to use because they've been used intensively in the literature. Using them would enable you to compare your patient sample to previous studies or published norms (can be useful if you want to use these tests in a clinical/diagnostic perspective or in research but without having a control group).

The most frequently used are the Stroop task (inhibition), or the Trail Making Test (flexibility). Verbal fluency tests are very multidimensional (semantic knowledge, processing speed) but they have an executive component. "Classical" tests also include the tower of London test (planing) and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, but the latter is rather complex and I don't think it be meaningful to use it unless your patients are in a (very) mild stage of the disease. Otherwise, the test would be too hard for them and you would have a strong floor effect and poor data distribution.

Basically it really depends on what you are trying to do and what population you are working on : are you trying to study specifically different components of executive functions in dementia? are you more looking for a couple of tests to get a metric of executive dysfunction in your population and use this as a covariate in your analysis?

Depending on your question, the tests (how many? which one(s)?) and the way you analyze the data (looking at each test independently? combining them into composite scores or factor scores?) might depend.

I hope this helps

Best,

Renaud

Thanks Renaud!

I am looking at using the D-KEFS next, instead of the Hayling and Brixton, because the D-KEFS includes all those classic EF tests and seems like a good option!

The executive functions are in first line the motoric functions and the speech.

Hi Anthony,

Thank you that is really helpful! I know, many people struggle too much with the Hayling and Brixton, so I am planning on using a different battery to establish levels of executive dysfunction!

Cheers

I wanted to go to that conference, but am now going to Alzheimer's Europe in October! I didn't know you were working with Prof Clare, I have cited her many times in my thesis already! (small research world)

Thank you Virginia! I have been using the CDT already as part of the MoCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment), and it's a great measure of executive dysfunction, so quick and simple but it can really tell something about the examined area of cognition.

If you are looking for a clock drawing task I recommend the CLOX by David Royall. http://jnnp.bmj.com/content/64/5/588.full for the original paper. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2957959/ for some new norms and http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23673275 for neuroanatomical evidence.

In CLOX 1 subjects are asked to 'draw me a clock that says 1.45, put the hands and numbers on the face so a child can read them'. No other help is given. Then the scoring sheet is turned over and the tester draws the clock, after which the subject copies that drawing. The difference between the two clocks is argued to reflect executive control difficulties, as the second clock is a copy of a clock where the planning and organisation is provided by the examiner. It is quick, sensitive, and informative in AD. It would make a good measure to add to those already recommended.

Yes. I will be finishing this Friday. I have nothing "wrong" with my mind. I took a test called El Test de  Barcelona Revisado but mainly to check for neurological damage.I also took an IQ test, WAIS IV. I am pretty confident about that. .There were others. A total of 3 days 10-6 and the finishing touch on Friday: My personality will be discussed.. I am 70 years old. 

So why did I take these tests in the first place? A Gringo psychologist recommended it when I was in the United States nearly two years ago. He thought  I might have spatial difficulties. Turns out I do not.

No problems.