Frequency of perseveration in normal subjects

Although perseveration is a recognized sign of disturbed brain function, it also occurs in normal individuals. Determination of the frequency of perse veration in normal subjects would enable clinicians to use perseveration as a marker of possible pathology. The purpose of this study was to document the extent of perseveration in normal young and older subjects. Thirty youn g normal individuals between the ages of 20 and 35 years and 30 older norma l individuals between the ages of 60 and 75 years were given four tasks on which perseveration has been reported in brain-damaged individuals. Four pe rcent of all responses were perseverative. No age or gender effects on freq uency were observed. Of the four neuropsychological tasks, the Modified Wis consin Card Sorting Test elicited the greatest number of perseverations. (C ) 1999 Academic Press.