Abstract

WAGNER, Gabriela Peretti; IRIGARAY, Tatiana Q.  and  TRENTINI, Clarissa M.. Intellectual abilities in Alzheimer's disease patients: Contributions from the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). Neuropsicologia Latinoamericana [online]. 2010, vol.2, n.3, pp.28-36. ISSN 2075-9479.

The changes in the life span have been increasing the reservations regarding the growing prevalence of demential disorders. The dementias have been rising in several regions in the world, including Brazil. As the dementias impair the higher mental abilities, it is important to develop psychological assessment tools. The aim of the present study was to compare the performance of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients to healthy controls in the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence (WASI). This scale is being standardized in Brazil. Both groups were matched in terms of gender, age, and years of education. Mann-Whitney's U test revealed statistically significant difference in three of the subtests: Matrix Reasoning, Block Design and Similarities. There was no statistically difference between the groups on Vocabulary. The results indicate that AD patients show difficulties in verbal and non-verbal reasoning, as well as in visuoespatial abilities, when compared to healthy controls. On the other hand, Vocabulary subtest, a crystallized and premorbid intelligence measure, did not discriminate the groups. The WASI reasoning (both verbal and non-verbal) and visuoespatial tasks can be useful tools for the cognitive assessment of demented patients in order to help to diagnose their mental status.

Keywords : Alzheimer's Disease; Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence; Intelligence; Aging; Elderly.

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