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Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly
Grober E, Sliwinski M.. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology, 1991-11-01
Topic: Risk, prevention and care in population studies
In a preliminary effort to improve the early diagnosis of dementia, we developed a regression-based method for estimating premorbid intelligence measured by the ability to read irregular words from the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test (AMNART). Using errors on the AMNART and years of education, a model for predicting current verbal intelligence (VIQ) was developed in a sample of nondemented elderly. Double cross validation showed that the model had high accuracy and stability in estimating current VIQ in nondemented subjects. The model was then used to estimate premorbid VIQ in mildly demented subjects. Estimated premorbid IQ exceeded current IQ by at least 10 points and did not differ from that of nondemented subjects. Less than 10% of nondemented elderly had discrepancies that were as large. If intellectual decline predicts future functional loss and can be reliably measured using cross-sectional data, the requirement of functional impairment may be an unnecessary barrier to the early diagnosis of dementia.
Key findings
- Double cross validation showed that the model had high accuracy and stability in estimating current VIQ in nondemented subjects.
Why it matters
This paper developed a regression-based method for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly using errors on the American version of the Nelson Adult Reading Test and years of education. The model estimated premorbid IQ in mildly demented subjects that exceeded current IQ by at least 10 points and did not differ from that of nondemented subjects.
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Study details
- Study designcross-sectional
- Evidence strengthLow
How this study scored 48/100
Published in a peer-reviewed journal, and it is a snapshot of people at one point in time. Scored zero for sample size, effect reported, studied in people and randomised / blinded because the record does not state it.
| Component | Points | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Journal tier | 7 / 10 | Tier 3 — peer-reviewed journal (Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology) |
| Journal's citation record | 2 / 4 | Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology: journal h-index 179 (OpenAlex, 2026-10-29) |
| Study design | 4 / 12 | A snapshot of people at one point in time |
| Strength of evidence | 1 / 5 | Rated “low” in our summary |
| Peer-review validation | 10 / 10 | Peer-reviewed. Published as an article in a named peer-reviewed journal. |
| How recent | 1 / 5 | 1991 — older than 20 years, still counted |
| Sample size | 0 / 4 | Participant count not stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Effect reported | 0 / 3 | No effect size reported — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Studied in people | 0 / 3 | Not stated whether this was studied in people — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Randomised / blinded | 0 / 2 | No randomisation or blinding stated — scores zero (not stated in the record — scored 0) |
| Times cited | 6 / 7 | Cited 569 times (OpenAlex, 2026-10-10) |
| Citations per year | 3 / 5 | 15.4 citations a year over 37 year(s) since 1991 |
| Impact for its field and year | 3 / 6 | Cited 3.4× the average for papers of its field and year (OpenAlex FWCI) |
| Cited by studies here | 3 / 6 | Cited by 10 other studies in this library |
| Still being cited | 2 / 4 | Cited 31 times in 2024–2026 (2026 still in progress; OpenAlex) |
| Senior author's track record | 2 / 4 | Last-listed author Saul R. Korey: h-index 26 (OpenAlex, whole career) |
| Institution's track record | 1 / 3 | Pennsylvania State University: institution h-index 1,397 (OpenAlex) |
| Multi-centre collaboration | 1 / 3 | OpenAlex lists 3 institution(s) in 1 country |
| Indexed in PubMed | 2 / 2 | Indexed in PubMed (PMID 1779032) |
| Free to read | 0 / 2 | Behind a paywall — scores zero |
| Total | 48 / 100 | — |
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Read the original
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Cite this study APA, Vancouver, BibTeX · download .bib or .ris
Built from the record alzhub holds for this paper, not looked up. Volume, issue and page numbers are not held in the record. Check the citation against the original before you use it.
APA 7th
Grober, E., & Sliwinski, M. (1991). Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology. https://doi.org/10.1080/01688639108405109
Vancouver
Grober E, Sliwinski M. Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly. Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology. 1991. doi:10.1080/01688639108405109. PMID: 1779032.
BibTeX
@article{grober1991-1779032,
author = {Grober, E. and Sliwinski, M.},
title = {{Development and validation of a model for estimating premorbid verbal intelligence in the elderly}},
journal = {Journal of clinical and experimental neuropsychology},
year = {1991},
doi = {10.1080/01688639108405109},
pmid = {1779032},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1080/01688639108405109}
}
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