TY - JOUR
T1 - Executive functioning mediates the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning
T2 - A Project FRONTIER study
AU - O'Bryant, Sidney
AU - Falkowski, Jed
AU - Hobson, Valerie
AU - Johnson, Leigh A.
AU - Hall, James
AU - Schrimsher, Gregory W.
AU - Win, Ohmar
AU - Ngo, Bichthy
AU - Dentino, Andrew
PY - 2011/2/1
Y1 - 2011/2/1
N2 - Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating impact of executive functioning on the link between other neuropsychological domain scores and informant-based rating of functional status. Methods: Data on 181 participants were analyzed from an ongoing epidemiological study of rural health, Project FRONTIER (mean age = 64.6 ± 13.8 years, 69% women, 42% Mexican American). Executive functioning was assessed by the EXIT25 and other neuropsychological domains were assessed via the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Informant-based rating of functional status was assessed via the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale sum of boxes scores (CDR SB). Results: RBANS Index scores were each significantly (p < 0.05) related to CDR SB scores and EXIT25 scores. EXIT25 score was a significant partial mediator of the link between four RBANS indices (Immediate Memory, Attention, Visuospatial/Construction, Delayed Memory) and CDR SB scores, and a complete mediator of the fifth index (Language). Conclusion: Executive functioning is a mediator of the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning. Neuropsychological assessments that do not measure executive functioning will provide only a partial clinical picture with adults and elders.
AB - Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the mediating impact of executive functioning on the link between other neuropsychological domain scores and informant-based rating of functional status. Methods: Data on 181 participants were analyzed from an ongoing epidemiological study of rural health, Project FRONTIER (mean age = 64.6 ± 13.8 years, 69% women, 42% Mexican American). Executive functioning was assessed by the EXIT25 and other neuropsychological domains were assessed via the Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS). Informant-based rating of functional status was assessed via the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale sum of boxes scores (CDR SB). Results: RBANS Index scores were each significantly (p < 0.05) related to CDR SB scores and EXIT25 scores. EXIT25 score was a significant partial mediator of the link between four RBANS indices (Immediate Memory, Attention, Visuospatial/Construction, Delayed Memory) and CDR SB scores, and a complete mediator of the fifth index (Language). Conclusion: Executive functioning is a mediator of the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning. Neuropsychological assessments that do not measure executive functioning will provide only a partial clinical picture with adults and elders.
KW - cognition
KW - executive functioning
KW - functional status
KW - rural
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=79951675911&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1017/S1041610210000967
DO - 10.1017/S1041610210000967
M3 - Article
C2 - 20637139
AN - SCOPUS:79951675911
VL - 23
SP - 107
EP - 113
JO - International Psychogeriatrics
JF - International Psychogeriatrics
SN - 1041-6102
IS - 1
ER -