USE OF THE BARONA METHOD TO PREDICT PREMORBID INTELLIGENCE IN THE ELDERLY

The prediction of individuals' general intelligence that was held prio r to cerebral trauma is essential to the determination of a loss of th eir cognitive functions. This is important both in the case of acute i njury or disease and in the various types of dementia commonly seen am ong older people. Several methods have been developed to perform this function, including the use of prediction equations based upon demogra phic factors known to be associated with intelligence. The best-known of these is the Barona modification of the equations developed by Wils on for the Wechsler scales. The Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CS HA) obtained a random sample of elderly Canadians and the information necessary to calculate the Barona formula. Results are reported for th e 8660 cases for which complete data were available, together with a m odification of the formula for use with people over the age of 74.