MODELS OF COGNITIVE DEFICIT AND STATISTICAL HYPOTHESES - MULTIPLE-SCLEROSIS, AN EXAMPLE

The purpose of the current study was to describe four models of cognit ive deficit and to outline the statistical hypotheses underlying each model. The four models of cognitive deficit were (a) specific deficit; (b) subgroup deficit; (c) a syndrome dissociation model; and (d) a gl obal function dissociation model. Neuropsychological data are analyzed to examine each of these four models in a sample of mild Multiple Scl erosis (MS) patients. The results suggest that for these subjects and tests, the specific deficit model best fits the data. The results are reviewed initially in the context of MS. There follows a consideration of statistical caveats and finally, general applications of the propo sed procedures.