THE INTELLIGENCE OF PATIENTS WITH FRIEDREICH'S ATAXIA

Abstract

The intelligence of 20 patients suffering from Friedreich''s ataxia was measured by means of the matrix, Mill Hill, and Wechsler-Bellevue Tests, a clinical estimate of intellectual deterioration being made in each case. Similar testing was carried out on a control group of 17 chronic invalids from other causes. No evidence was found to suggest that Friedreich''s ataxia patients are intellectually different from the general population. Patients afflicted with this disease show as a group significant dementia of no great degree which appears early but is not progressive.