Protocol - Executive Function
- Global Mental Status Screener - Adult
- Global Mental Status Screener - Child
- Global Mental Status Screener - Older Children and Adolescents
- Verbal Memory - Adult
- Verbal Memory - Child
- Visual Memory - Adult
- Visual Memory - Child
- Working Memory - Adult
- Working Memory - Child
Description
The Trail Making Test is an interviewer-administered, two-part test that requires the respondent to organize numerical and alphabetical sequences that are randomly distributed on a piece of paper. The protocol includes instructions for correcting mistakes and instructions for scoring based on speed and accuracy.
Specific Instructions
Whereas the Trail Making Test has two parts (Parts A and B), the PhenX Neurology Working Group recommends that part B be used to measure executive function in adults.
The Trail Making Test is a proprietary, fee-based instrument that is available from Reitan Neuropsychology Lab, Inc.
Availability
Protocol
Trail Making Test, Part A
The examiner first shows the respondent a sample test that has numbers 1-8 distributed in random order. The examiner demonstrates the task and lets the respondent practice connecting the numbers in increasing order. The examiner then hands the respondent the actual test which has the numbers 1-25 distributed in random order and asks the respondent to connect them in increasing order as fast as possible without raising the pen from the paper. Respondents are scored based on speed and accuracy.
Trail Making Test, Part B
The examiner first shows the respondent a sample test that has numbers 1-4 and letters A-D distributed in random order. The examiner demonstrates the task and lets the respondent practice connecting the numbers to letters (one to A, A to two, etc.) in increasing order. The examiner then hands the respondent the actual test which has the numbers 1-13 and letters A-L distributed in random order and asks the respondent to connect them in increasing order as fast as possible without raising the pen from the paper. Respondents are scored based on speed and accuracy.
Personnel and Training Required
Personnel should be trained by a licensed neuropsychologist or other trained medical professional experienced with the Trail Making test. Additionally, investigators are encouraged to have quality control procedures (such as videotaping sessions, etc.) in place to maintain consistency across examiners.
Equipment Needs
The interviewer will need a copy of the test that includes the cue cards with the sequence of numbers and letters and the scoring instructions.
Requirements
| Requirement Category | Required |
|---|---|
| Major equipment | No |
| Specialized training | No |
| Specialized requirements for biospecimen collection | No |
| Average time of greater than 15 minutes in an unaffected individual | No |
Mode of Administration
Interviewer-administered evaluation
Lifestage
Adolescent, Adult, Senior, Pregnancy
Participants
Participant ages 15 years and older.
Selection Rationale
The Trail Making Test was selected because it is a standard, widely-used, validated protocol.
Language
Chinese, English
Standards
| Standard | Name | ID | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) | Executive function proto | 62778-6 | LOINC |
| Human Phenotype Ontology | Cognitive impairment | HP:0100543 | HPO |
Derived Variables
None
Process and Review
Not applicable.
Protocol Name from Source
The Trail Making Test - Adult
Source
Reitan Neuropsychology Lab. The Adult Trail Making Test.
The Trail Making Test is a proprietary instrument and can be obtained through:
Reitan Neuropsychology Lab
POB 66080
Tucson, AZ 85728-6080
USA
Telephone: (520) 577-2970
Fax: (520) 577-2940
General References
None
Protocol ID
131101
Variables
Export Variables| Variable Name | Variable ID | Variable Description | dbGaP Mapping | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PX131101000000 | Protocol 131101 - proprietary. Check DCW for more | N/A | ||
Measure Name
Executive Function
Release Date
May 12, 2010
Definition
An interviewer-administered test to measure a respondent’s system of high-level cognitive functions such as abstract thinking, rule acquisition, cognitive flexibility, and goal-oriented behavior.
Purpose
This measure tests a respondent’s total range of function with respect to executive function. It is therefore more specific and sensitive than a measure of global mental status and can be used to assess major problems in executive function as well as minor variations that may be a consequence of normal development and aging.
Keywords
Executive Function, Trail Making Test, Mental Status, Mental State, cognition, dementia, Problem Solving, Alzheimer’s disease, aging, proprietary, Neurology, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, BRIEF, adolescent, Child, Developmental Delay, Intellectual Delay, Learning Disability, Cognitive Impairment, Attention Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder, ADHD, Attention Disorder, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, sickle cell disease, SCD
Measure Protocols
| Protocol ID | Protocol Name |
|---|---|
| 131101 | Executive Function |
| 131102 | Executive Function - Child |
Publications
Sapkota, B. R., et al. (2016) Genome-wide association study of 25(OH) Vitamin D concentrations in Punjabi Sikhs: Results of the Asian Indian diabetic heart study. J Steroid Biochem Mol Biol. 2016 April; 158: 149-156. doi: 10.1016/j.jsbmb.2015.12.014