Psychometric properties and factor structure of an expanded CERAD neuropsychological battery in an elderly VA sample

Abstract

Recent research by Strauss and Fritsch [Strauss, M.E., & Fritsch, T. (2004). Factor structure of the CERAD neurophysiological battery. Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society, 10, 559-565] suggested additions to the original Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD) neuropsychological battery. In the present study, the data from a clinical series of military veteran patients referred for neuropsychological evaluation of suspected dementia using an Expanded CERAD battery was explored. Logistic regression analysis and exploratory factor analysis with quantitative methods for determining the number of factors strongly supported the addition of the Indiana University Token Test. A one-factor model best accounted for the demented subjects data and a two-factor model emerged when the total sample (demented and non-demented subjects) data were factor analyzed. The benefit of using computational methods for determining the number of underlying factors was discussed.