Statistical relationships and discriminative accuracy of the Halstead-Reitan, Luria-Nebraska, and Wechsler IQ scores in the identification of brain damage

Abstract

Ninety-two patients (46 brain-damaged and 46 control) were administered both the Halstead-Reitan and Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Batteries and the WAIS. The relationship between the Luria and the Halstead Battery was assessed using a common metric, T scores, and also by comparing impairment ratings for both batteries. Diagnostic screening accuracy was compared using discriminative functions and by computing the percentage of brain-damaged and control cases falling above and below the combined group medians. Results of the discriminative analyses were also compared with those obtained using only IQ scores from the WAIS. Findings support the comparability of the two neuropsychological test batteries with respect to diagnostic screening accuracy and the extent to which they measure level of impairment. Interestingly, equivalent discrimination between organic and control subjects was obtained using WAIS IQ scores. However, differences in the instruments did emerge on an individual case basis.