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FMRI correlates of the WAIS–III Symbol Search subtest

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 July 2005

LAWRENCE H. SWEET
Affiliation:
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
JAMES F. PASKAVITZ
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts
MATTHEW J. O'CONNOR
Affiliation:
University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts
JEFFREY N. BROWNDYKE
Affiliation:
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
JEREMY W. WELLEN
Affiliation:
Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, Massachusetts
RONALD A. COHEN
Affiliation:
Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island

Abstract

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (FMRI) experiments frequently administer substantially adapted cognitive tests. This study was designed to identify FMRI correlates of a well-standardized clinical measure presented with minor adaptations. We administered the WAIS–III Symbol Search (SS) and a visuospatial control task to fifteen adults during FMRI. SS-related brain activity was identified, followed by analyses of activity related to performance level. Compared to the control task, SS was associated with greater activity in bilateral medial occipital, occipitoparietal, occipitotemporal, parietal, and dorsolateral prefrontal cortices (DLPFC). Across both tasks, slower processing speed was also related to greater activity in these areas, except right DLPFC. Greater activity in left DLPFC was specifically related to slower processing speed during SS. Performance was consistent with education levels. Findings suggest that SS performance involves regions associated with executive and visual processing. Furthermore, slower SS performance was related to greater recruitment of left hemisphere regions associated with executive function in other studies. (JINS, 2005, 11, 471–476.)

Type
BRIEF COMMUNICATION
Copyright
© 2005 The International Neuropsychological Society

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