Executive functioning mediates the link between other neuropsychological domains and daily functioning: a Project FRONTIER study

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 rura...

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Published in:International psychogeriatrics 2011-02, Vol.23 (1), p.107-113
Main Authors: O'Bryant, Sid E., Falkowski, Jed, Hobson, Valerie, Johnson, Leigh, Hall, James, Schrimsher, Gregory W., Win, Ohmar, Ngo, Bichthy, Dentino, Andrew
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activities of Daily Living - psychology
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Attention
Behavior
Biological and medical sciences
Cognitive ability
Executive Function
Female
Geriatric Assessment
Geriatrics
Health Status
Humans
Language
Male
Medical sciences
Memory
Middle Aged
Neuropsychological Tests
Neuropsychology
Older people
Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry
Psychopathology. Psychiatry
Residence Characteristics
Rural Population
Space Perception
Visual Perception
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Summary: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.
ISSN:1041-6102
1741-203X
DOI:10.1017/S1041610210000967