NINDS CDE Notice of Copyright
Wechsler%20Adult%20Intelligence%20Scale%20-%20Fourth%20Edition%20(WAIS-IV)
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Availability
Please visit this website for more information about the instrument:
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Recommended Instrument for
CP, Epilepsy, ME/CFS, Mito, SRC, Stroke and TBI
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Classification
Supplemental-Highly Recommended: Cerebral Palsy (CP) and Sport-Related Concussion (SRC)
 
Supplemental: Epilepsy, Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), Mitochondrial Disease (Mito), Stroke, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
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Short Description of Instrument
The WAIS-IV is a battery of tests that provides an estimate of general intellectual functioning. The WAIS-IV has 10 core subtests (Arithmetic, Block Design, Comprehension, Digit Span, Digit Symbol, Information, Letter-Number Sequencing, Matrix Reasoning, Picture Arrangement, Picture Completion, Processing Speed, Object Assembly, Similarities, Symbol Search, and Vocabulary) which make up four index scores, including the Verbal Comprehension Index (VCI), the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI), the Working Memory Index (WMI), and the Processing Speed Index (PSI).
 
Index Scores: FSIQ, General Ability (GAI)
Verbal Comprehension (VCI): The VCI is a measure of verbal concept formation, verbal reasoning, and knowledge acquired from one's environment.
 
Perceptual Reasoning (PRI): The PRI is a measure of perceptual and fluid reasoning, spatial processing, and visual-motor integration.
 
Working Memory (WMI): The WMI is a measure of working memory abilities, which involves attention, concentration, mental control and reasoning. Working memory tasks require the ability to temporarily retain information in memory, perform some operation or manipulation with it, and produce a result.
 
Processing Speed (PSI): The PSI is composed of subtests measuring the speed of mental and eye/hand coordination. The PSI provides a measure of the person's ability to quickly and correctly scan, sequence, or discriminate simple visual information. This composite also measures short-term memory, attention, and visual-motor coordination.
Excellent norms, frequently revised and correlated to other Wechsler products such as the WRAT-4, DKEFS subtests and the CVLT II.
 
Subtests:
VCI: Similarities, Vocabulary, Information
PSI: Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, Visual Puzzles
WMI: Digit Span, Arithmetic
PSI: Symbol Search, Coding
 
Publication Date: 2008
 
Ages: Individuals 16:0–90:11 years
 
Completion Time: 60–90 minutes
 
Language: English, Spanish
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Comments
Block Design Subtest: Epilepsy
Formal IQ Testing
The WAIS-IV was released in 2008, and there are presently no peer-reviewed clinical studies of the WAIS-IV in epilepsy. Historically, the natural evolution for adopting new psychological tests following their revision occurs over an approximate 5-year transition period.
For studies using Wechsler short forms derived from either the WASI or WAIS-IV/WISC-IV, the committee recommends, at a minimum, including the Vocabulary and Block Design subtests. Similarly, the committee recommends that the General Ability Index be calculated when the full WAIS-IV/WISC-IV is administered to facilitate comparisons with the FSIQ obtained with the WASI.
Visuospatial (Optional Domain)
Spatial skills, to date, have not been a primary interest in most epilepsy studies. Other than improvement following contralateral/dominant hemisphere surgery, visuospatial performances tend to remain stable. In addition, there is greater variability in tests used to measure visual spatial abilities compared to language measures (e.g., Judgment of Line Orientation, Visual Object and Space Perception, Rey-Osterreith Complex Figure copy).
Rather than recommend an additional test to the CDE neuropsychology protocol, the committee is cognizant of the fact that in most cases, Block Design will be administered as part of the Wechsler IQ testing. Consequently, when an individual visual spatial task is needed, performance on the Block Design subtest can be used.
For studies using the WAIS-IV, the Perceptual Reasoning Index (PRI) derived from performances on Block Design, Matrix Reasoning, and Visual Puzzles can be present. If the WASI has been used, then the PIQ, which is analogous to the WAIS-IV PRI given the absence of tests of processing speed, can be reported.
Recommended Tests: Block Design, WAIS-IV Perceptual Reasoning Index
 
Digit Span Subtest: TBI
Description: Two sections: Digits Forward and Digits Backward
Permissible Values: Raw score: 0–30 Scaled Score: 1–19.
Procedures: Administered verbally. Requires minimal training. Administration time is 10 minutes.
Comments: Adults 16–89 years
Rationale: The Digit Span subtest is a widely used measure of auditory attention that is well-normed and sensitive to the effects of TBI
References:
Wechsler D. (1997). Wechsler adult intelligence scale-III. New York: Psychological Corporation.
 
Digit Span Subtest: Epilepsy
Simple Span of Attention
Purpose: To assess immediate attention
Alternative Languages: Spanish
Comment: The Digit Span test differs based upon which age-appropriate measure is used. The WISC-IV assesses forward and backward digit span. The WAIS-IV also includes a Sequencing trial in which the subject is the repeat back the digits in ascending order.
Nationally-representative norms are available for 16–90 (WAIS-IV) years. WAIS-IV test booklets are copyrighted and can be purchased separately from the test publisher. Permission to photocopy single pages of the booklets for an annual fee can also be arranged with the publisher.
In addition to normative values, span length (maximum longest digit span) should be reported separately for forward span and backward span. Individual standard scores for sum of correct trials for forward digits, backward digits, and sequencing should also be included. For studies relying on the WAIS-IV for IQ assessment, Digit Span will be obtained as part of the WAIS-IV protocol.
Primary Dependent Measures: Digit Span Forward (scaled score), Digit Span Backward (scaled score)
Optional Secondary Measure: Absolute span (largest number string) for forward span and digit span
Time Estimate: 10 minutes
Scoring Estimate: < 5 minute
Vendor: Pearson/PsychCorp, P.O. Box 599700, San Antonio, TX 78259
Spanish Reference: Peña-Casanova J, Quinones-Ubeda S, Quintana-Aparicio M, Aguilar M, Badenes D, Molinuevo JL, et al. Spanish Multicenter Normative Studies (NEURONORMA Project): norms for verbal span, visuospatial span, letter and number sequencing, trail making test, and symbol digit modalities test. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2009;24(4):321–341.
 
Digit Symbol Subtest: Stroke
Purpose: This test has been shown to predict group membership defined by processing speed deficits, such as brain-injured versus control samples and has been used as a sensitive outcome in studies identifying predictors of longitudinal decline in elders.
Overview: The digit-symbol subtest measures the time to recode symbol and digit items. The test requires elements of attention, visuoperceptual processing, working memory, and psychomotor speed.
Time: Assessment takes a few minutes to complete
Scoring: The score is the number correctly coded from 0–133 in 120 seconds.
Psychometric Properties: The test demonstrates strong reliability and validity coefficients.
References:
DeMonte VE, Geffen GM, May CR, & MacFarland K. Improved sensitivity of the rapid screen of mild traumatic brain injury. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2009;6:1–11.
 
Knopman DS, Mosley TH, Catellier DJ Coker LH. Atherosclerosis risk in communities study brain MRI study. Fourteen-year longitudinal study of vascular risk factors, APOE genotype, and cognition: the ARIC MRI study. Alzheimer's & Dementia. 2009;5:207–214.
 
Wechsler D. (1997). Wechsler adult intelligence scale-III. New York: Psychological Corporation.
 
Letter-Number Sequencing Subtest: TBI
Description: This is a complex span task involving simultaneous processing. The subject is presented with a mixed list of numbers and letters and their task is to repeat the list by saying the numbers first in ascending order and then the letters in alphabetical order.
Permissible Values: Performance on this measure is converted to scaled scores with a mean of 10 and standard deviation of 3. The scaled score is adjusted for age.
Procedures: Requires trained examiner to administer. Administration time is 5 minutes.
Comments: This is a performance based measure which requires the subject to understand what is required and participate in the testing. It requires a functional level in the severe disability or above on the GOS/GOSE.
Rationale: Highest factor analytic loading on Working Memory factor. Good psychometric properties and sensitivity to severity of TBI. Legacy measure for the NIH Toolbox Working Memory Subdomain.
References:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III. Letter-Number Sequencing Subtest. Pearson Education Inc, San Antonio, TX.
 
Processing Speed Index Subtest: TBI
Description: This index is based on 2 subtests of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. For Digit Symbol, examinee must accurately fill in symbols, according to matched number-symbol pairs in a key in 120 seconds. For Symbol Search, examinee determines whether either of two target symbols match any of the symbols in a search group; examinee must respond to as many items as able in 120 seconds.
Permissible Values: The 2 subtests yield scaled scores adjusted for age with a mean of 10 and standard deviation of 3. The WAIS PS Index is based on the 2 subtests with a mean of 100 and standard deviation of 15 adjusted for age.
Procedures: Requires trained examiner to administer and neuropsychologist or psychologist to interpret. Administration time is 10 minutes.
Comments: This is a performance based measure which requires the subject to understand what is required and participate in the testing. It requires a functional level in the severe disability or above on the GOS/GOSE.
Rationale: Good psychometric properties. Sensitive to TBI and its severity. Legacy measure for NIH Toolbox Processing Speed Subdomain.
References:
Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale III/IV. Processing Speed Index. Pearson Education Inc, San Antonio, Texas.
 
Symbol Search Subtest: Stroke
Purpose: The symbol-search subtest of the WAIS III is an indicator of processing speed and visual perception.
Overview: The symbol-search subtest requires rapid identification of targets. Specifically, for each item the subject must search a series of five figures to see if either of two targets occur, and mark yes or no for each item. Recent fMRI findings have shown greater activity in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortices associated with slower symbol search performance. This subtest and the Digit-Symbol subtest together comprise the Processing Speed Index of the WAIS-III.
Scoring: The score is the number correct in 120 seconds from 0–60.
Time: Assessment takes approximately 3 minutes.
Psychometric Properties: The subtest has shown validity in studies of adults with various neurological disorders.
References:
Sweet LH, Paskavitz JF, OConnor MJ, Browndyke JN, Wellen JW, Cohen RA. FMRI correlates of the WAIS-III Symbol Search subtest. J Int Neuropsychol. 2005;11:471–476.
 
Wechsler D. (1997). Wechsler adult intelligence scale-III. New York: Psychological Corporation.
 
Specific for Mitochondrial Disorder
Strengths: As noted above, the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale has long been considered a gold standard instrument for assessing adult intelligence in both research and clinical settings. It is widely used, reliable and well validated. Previous versions of the WAIS have been used to characterize specific phenotypic characteristics of particular mitochondrial disorders. For example, relative weaknesses in nonverbal reasoning ability in individuals with POLG1 mutations and the syndrome of mitochondrial spinocerebellar ataxia and epilepsy (Gramstad et al., 2009), though results may have been impacted by psychomotor slowing. Similarly, previous versions of the WAIS have been used as sensitive measures of generalized cognitive decline in mitochondrial disorders as a whole (Finsterer, 2009).
Limitations: There have not yet been studies published using the most recent revision, the WAIS-IV, in individuals with mitochondrial disorder, however it has been used in studies with populations that may present with similar characteristics like multiple sclerosis, with results demonstrating that the instrument as a whole is sensitive to measuring disease-related changes in cognition over time (Ryan et al, 2012).
References:
Finsterer J.Mitochondrial disorders, cognitive impairment and dementia. J Neurol Sci. 2009;283:143–148.
 
Gramstad A, Bindoff LA, LillebØ A, Tzoulis C, Engelsen BA. Neuropsychological performance in patients with POLG1 mutations and the syndrome of mitochondrial spinocerebellar ataxia and epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav. 2009;16(1):172–174.
 
Ryan JJ, Gontokovsky ST, Kreiner DS, and Tree HA. Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Fourth Edition performance in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol. 2012;34 (6):571–579.
 
Specific for ME/CFS
In general, the subscore component profile will show average or above average values for the Verbal Comprehension and Perceptual Reasoning Components, while Working Memory and especially Processing Speed are often in the below average range.
 
References:
Tiersky LA, Cicerone KD, Natelson BH, DeLuca J. Neuropsychological Functioning in Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Mild Traumatic Brain Injury: A Comparison. The Clinical Neuropsychologist. 1998;12(4):503-512.
 
Specific for Sport-RelatedConcussion Recommended Tests: The Working Memory Index (WMI) and the Processing Speed Index (PSI).
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Scoring
Full battery can take up to 2 hours to administer.
Hand or computer scored. Alternative subtests are available for administration to a patient who is not a native English speaker or has received their academic education elsewhere.
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References
Wechsler D. (2008) Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, fourth edition (WAIS-IV). The Psychological Corporation; San Antonio, TX. Technical Manual: WAIS-IV Technical & Interpretive Manual
Presentations:
 
Foo R, Guppy M, Johnston L. Intelligence assessments for children with cerebral palsy: a systematic review. Dev Med Child Neurol. 2013;55(10):911–918.  
 
Wisdom NM, Mignogna J, Collins RL. Variability in Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-IV subtest performance across age. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 2012;27(4):389–397.
Many studies have at least used some subtests of the WAIS IV including Digit Span forward and backward, Digit Symbols, and Vocabulary (for an estimate of verbal IQ).
 
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