The Macquarie University Neuropsychological Normative Study (MUNNS): Rationale and methodology

The Macquarie University Neuropsychological Normative Study (MUNNS) was con ducted during the period January 1996 to March 1998, and involved the asses sment of a sample of 399 healthy 18- to 34-year-olds in Sydney, Australia. The primary aim of the MUNNS was to establish normative data on neuropsycho logical measures commonly used in the rehabilitation and medico-regal asses sments of patients with traumatic brain injuries. These norms provide local standards on tests of intelligence, memory, and higher neuropsychological function against which brain-injured patients can be compared. The present paper provides the rationale underpinning the MUNNS as well as an overview of the methodology used and an assessment of the representativeness of the MUNNS sample.