Frequency of occurrence of a WAIS dementia pattern in schizophrenia and bipolar affective disorder

Abstract

Fuld (1983) identified a WAIS subtest profile that is moderately sensitive to the dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease, but occurs infrequently in other conditions. A sample of 30 chronic psychiatric patients (16 bipolar affective disorders; 14 schizophrenics) was examined for incidence of the pattern. Results indicated 97% specificity since the pattern occurred in only one of the subjects. This compares favorably with reported figures for multi-infarct dementia (5.1%), craniocerebral trauma (5%), and normal elderly (< 3%).