WAIS-R INTERSUBTEST SCATTER IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA OF ALZHEIMERS TYPE

This study explored the relationship between three indices of intersub test scatter and level of cognitive deterioration in a sample of 104 p atients with dementia of Alzheimer's type, who ranged in age between 5 2 and 84 years. Scatter was highly related to education and premorbid level of functioning. Advancement of dementia was shown to be associat ed with decrease in scatter, which suggests caution in interpretation of high magnitude of intersubtest scatter as an indication of brain dy sfunction. Easy-to-calculate range of scatter proved to be adequate me asure of scatter. Calculation of more complex indices, such as PVI, pr ovides only minimal incremental gain.