An initial exploration of the convergent and ecological validity of the UDS 3.0 neuropsychological battery in Parkinson’s Disease

ABSTRACT

Objective

The Uniform Data Set 3.0 neuropsychological battery (UDS3NB) is well developed for research with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and may serve as a common set of measures of cognitive decline across neurodegenerative diseases. However, the battery has not been formally assessed in persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD). The current research provides initial information on the convergent and ecological validity of the UDS3NB in individuals with PD.

Methods

Participants included 75 individuals diagnosed with PD from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders. Clinical dementia ratings, administered independently from the cognitive measures, identified individuals as having normal cognition (n = 38), Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI; n = 25) and dementia (n = 12). UDS3NB measures were compared between these groups, and correlations between UDS3NB measures, gold standard neuropsychological measures, and informant rated activities of daily living ability (ADL) were evaluated.

Results

At the group-level, UDS3NB scores followed the expected pattern with higher scores in participants with PD but no cognitive diagnosis and lower in those with dementia; scores in the MCI group were between these extremes. Convergent validity was suggested by moderate correlations between UDS specific measures (i.e., Craft story) and measures such as the RAVLT. Ecological validity was suggested by statistically significant correlations between UDS3NB performance and caregiver ratings of ADLs, with speed and executive functioning measures (Trailmaking A; r = −.51, p < .01; Trailmaking B; r = −.51, p < .01) most strongly related to reported daily functioning.

Conclusions

Findings provide initial support for the convergent and ecological validity of the UDS3NB in individuals with PD. Implications and future directions for this battery are discussed.

KEYWORDS:

• Parkinson’s Disease
• Neuropsychological Assessment
• mild cognitive impairment
• dementia
• ecological validity
• psychometrics

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The data for this work was taken from the Arizona Study of Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders which has been supported by funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, [U24 NS072026] National Brain and Tissue Resource for Parkinson’s Disease and Related Disorders; National Institute on Aging, [P30 AG19610] Arizona Alzheimer’s Disease Core Center; Arizona Department of Health Services, Arizona Alzheimer’s Consortium; Arizona Biomedical Research Commission, Arizona Parkinson’s Disease Consortium; Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.